My season started off very well with a 2nd place in the first national series race in wales. On to more success with a 7th place overall in the Junior Tour of Mendips. Keeping my high up in the national series rankings. Unfortunately I crashed the day before the Rutland Cicle Classic, which led me to withdraw from the race. Back with a bang after my crash, the Pearl Izumi Tour Series came over to the Isle of Man. This also happened to be the opening day of Cyclefest! I came sixth over all riding for Cyclefests guest team. This gave me a massive boost of confidence for the rest of Cyclefest. Following this, the Storm the Tower Hill Climb which i won by 5 seconds again this gave me so much morale to do well in the Grand Fondo, the finale of Cyclefest. It wasn’t all that easy as I felt a massive amount of pressure to do well. All over social media I was made out to be the star of the weekend. I really wanted this win. Luckily after having a mechanical halfway through, I was able to break away with another rider which stuck until the finish ending the weekend with another victory. It was then time to get my head down into hard training, ready for my next National Series round in Scotland. I finished overall in the top 20, with my best placing in stage 3 coming 7th. This was a back to back weekend with the British National Champs in South Wales. I was on good form and ready but unfortunately a negative race put me out of contention after getting caught on the last climb with a late attack to the finish. Moving on to the Hatherleigh Junior Road Race, an early break away with strong riders had the potential of staying away. I attacked on a steep climb to catch the break away and managed to finish second on the day! Since that national series race I’ve had a lot of bad luck with the rest of the races. Bath junior road race wasn’t the best for me, negative race plus a mechanical left me with a top 15. Onto Suir valley 3 day international, first stage punctured with 10km to go so lost a lot of time and my tour was over. 2nd stage and pushed on to help out another Manx rider on GC. Unfortunately on stage 3 I had a crash which led to me breaking my left clavicle putting me out for the rest of the season missing to major junior races in the national series. Onwards and upwards and hopefully some big things to happen next year.
This season wouldn’t of been possible without the support of NedBank Private wealth, couldn’t thank them enough for the time and effort they have put in for me to make the successes I had this season.
Owen dudley cycling 