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Sept
‘He has every chance of becoming a household name’ - Harrogate cyclist wins junior world championships
A Harrogate cyclist has been tipped for a bright future after becoming a junior world champion
Harrogate Nova rider Harry Hudson won the junior road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda on Friday (September 26).
The 18-year-old is the first British rider to ever win the event.
The Sheffield-born rider finished in two hours, 55 minutes and 19 seconds, beating second-placed Johan Blanc by 16 seconds.
With about 35 kilometres remaining of the 119.3-kilometre course, Hudson broke away from the peloton and stayed in front until the finish line.
The hilly terrain suited the rider, who is known for being a specialist climber.
At the finish line, he said:
It’s still setting in, it’s a bit crazy. I knew my legs were good but it’s always a surprise. It’s just a dream, I’m so happy. It's certainly a big step, my best result yet.
I just felt like it was the right time to go and I just attacked. I thought a few of us would go and create a small split but it ended up being solo and I just settled into my pace and ended up going to the line. I thought I was going to get caught a few times, but I just kept going, kept pushing and got the win.
Hudson has been a Harrogate Nova rider since he was 16. Harrogate Nova is a racing team that nurtures talent.
The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Stringer, co-chair at Harrogate Nova, what it means to the club:
There’s only one answer – quite simply unbelievable. The way he broke away at the end was amazing, but to be honest, not unexpected. We know what he’s capable of.
Harry’s win on Friday is a culmination of loads of other huge results along the way. His victory at Bastogne-Liège was really significant, too.
He’s just a normal kid who loves riding his bike. He works super hard and has brilliant backing from his parents.
This is literally just the start. He’s 18, he’s physically immature, and he can develop lots more. He has every chance of becoming a household name, like your Wiggins, your Cavendish, or your Lizzie Deignan.
Hudson has since followed in the footsteps of local cycling icon Lizzie Deignan by signing for the Lidl-Trek racing team.
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