A talented Dundee High School pupil has set the wheels turning on a journey he hopes will lead him all the way to Olympic glory.
Third year student Alfie George has recently become one of only around 100 riders in the UK to have been selected to join the Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT) apprentice programme, a pathway which aims to turn the most promising young riders in the UK into the future stars of world and Olympic cycling.
Alfie has also become one of only eight cyclists chosen from the Scotland and the north east of England to be included in the prestigious programme.
The teenager was picked for the scheme after being identified as a “hardworking, skilful bike racer who has the potential to develop into a successful world class athlete in the future”.
The young’s cyclist’s impressive CV so far includes silver medals in both the Scottish Time Trial Championship and the British Omnium final, a bronze medal in the Youth Tour of Ireland, and victory in the Under 14 section of the British Cycling Youth Circuit Series.
Speaking to The Courier, Alfie, who will receive his Youth Circuit title at the British Cycling Awards in Birmingham in February, revealed: “I’m really excited to have been selected. It’s the first step on the road towards reaching the top.
“The programme requires real dedication, but I’m ready for that.
“Your attitude, responsibility and willingness to learn are also reviewed so the programme covers all aspects of cycling, not just your race results.
“I’m greatly looking forward to getting further into the programme and ultimately working towards reaching the Junior Academy.”
As an apprentice, Alfie will benefit from regular training sessions with GBCT coaches, have access to the same world-class facilities as the GBCT elite cyclists and receive advice on race tactics and managing his cycling workload.
He will also have to submit a weekly logbook detailing his training and diet, and his overall development will be reviewed regularly over the course of the one to two year programme.
If he is successful it’s hoped he will progress to the next step on the pathway, the Junior Academy.