CYCLING: National road champion James Shaw is to return to his roots and compete for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club next season.
The Kidderminster 20-year-old has spent long periods away from his home town, going to university in Bath, training in Manchester and competing for Stourbridge.
But Shaw will be a full-time cyclist next year after finishing his degree and he has the competitive track circuit in his sights.
He has a place on the World Class Performance Plan after winning the U-21 and U-23 National Road Racing Series.
Shaw said: "I started out with Wyre Forest in 1998 before going onto Stourbridge.
"I was in the elite squad there but now I'm on the world class plan which means I now longer qualify for that squad.
"So there's no hard feelings there and I'm now back with Wyre Forest which I always said I would do.
"They are a really good club who have landed a bit of sponsorship for themselves.
"There are a strong base of weekend racers at the club and by wearing their jersey at national events, hopefully I can help give the sponsors something back."
Shaw is currently out on a training camp in Majorca which gives perfect practice.
He explained: "It is an island half divided between mountains and flat. There's not a lot of traffic on there either."
Shaw finished 13th in the National Pursuit Track Championships earlier in the year when up against eight Olympians.
He could also be heading to Mexico and China next year for World Cup track events.
Shaw added: "My major aim of the year will be on the track but 80 per cent of the programme will be on the road.
"I am hoping for a place on the team for the tour of Britain which are five-day stages races.
"I'm not going to try and retain the national series as I will be too busy to race in enough events. But the National Road Championships in May will be a big one."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article