WORCESTER cyclist Lee Finch is on the verge of qualifying for cycling's World Class Performance Plan (WCPP).

Run by the British Cycling Federation (BCF) and funded through Sports Council and Lottery grants, the WCPP takes the cream of Britain's young cyclists and provides them with the best training methods and regular International competition, with the select band of riders forming the backbone of the Great Britain squad.

The aim is to improve riders sufficiently, so that the can eventually sign professional contracts with top continental teams and then hopefully go on to World Championship and Olympic success.

Already a member of the England Potential Squad, Finch needed two top 20 results in the season-long Premier Calendar Series to be considered by the WCPP.

This he achieved over the past two weeks with 16th place in the Havant International Grand Prix and a creditable eighth spot in the Glasgow to Dunnoon race last weekend.

"All that remains is for me to hit the required fitness levels under laboratory conditions at the BCF Headquarters," said Finch. " I am fairly confident that I can do that, as my last fitness test was only marginally short of the mark and I am much stronger now."

Finch as been improving over the season and has been regularly competing abroad.

He gained seventh place in a French circuit race at Boulougne.

Finch is now preparing for the National Under 23 Championships on Sunday at Blandford Forum. A win here would secure him a World Championship place in the GB Under 23 squad.