A MOUNTAIN biker is riding high after being selected to train with the country’s elite.
Richmond Sixth Form College student Miles Worner was the only young rider in the country to be chosen for the mountain bike category at the National Youth Talent Camp.
The 16-year-old, of Kirby Hill, near Richmond, joined other elite athletes in disciplines including tennis, volleyball, football and wheelchair bowls (boccia) for a weeklong coaching session at Loughborough University.
British Cycling selected 20 of the most promising riders from across the country to take part in the exclusive training camp with Miles the only off-road competitor.
He was part of a group comprising members of the England girls’ football team who also play professionally for Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, Commonwealth para-games medal winners for athletics and boccia, and national champions in volleyball and tennis.
They were supported by the 14 times world champion half pipe BMX rider Mike Mullen, head of talent development for British Cycling Tim Buckle and a member of Volleyball England.
Days started at 5am with an hour of circuit training and continued until 10pm with workshops covering emotional intelligence, team structure, self-branding, process planning and exploring the concept of ‘team you’.
The camp included speeches and lectures from sport legends, such as GB athlete Katarina Johnston-Thompson, a rugby player from the World Cup winning South African team, the head of the Olympic cycling programme and a prominent BBC journalist, who talked about the benefits and dangers of social media.
Another feature of the camp was the ‘live lab’ where the young athletes watched a professional basketball team train, analysing and observing its strengths.
Miles has been riding since he was four, six competitively, inspired by his father Martin, who competes in cyclo-cross. Last year Miles finished third in the last round of the National Cross Country Series staged at Cannock Chase in the Midlands.
The new seasons kicks off in March when he will ride for the team Mountaingoat. He is currently studying A Levels in maths, physics, biology and art and hopes to read a degree associated with biology at university.
“I have returned completely inspired and ready to apply what I have learned to become a better rider and work towards my dream of racing professionally,” said Miles, who is aiming to ride in the Olympics one day.
“I have set a long-term plan and there is no reason why this dream is unobtainable knowing what I do and with the support I have. Richmond School is also playing a big part in developing ‘team me’, for which I am very grateful.”
Assistant head teacher Leslie Richardson said: “Miles is a very talented rider and student and we are delighted to support him in his sport and his studies.
Competing at a national level inspires many other students in the school who follow his progress with interest.”
For more information on opportunities at Richmond School and Sixth Form College visit www.richmondschool.net.
