CANVEY Island cyclist George Wood says he is confident he can build on his fine start to the season – despite being knocked off his bike recently.

The 19-year-old Richardsons-Trek racer has enjoyed a strong start to the season, recently finishing 14th in the Chorley GP at the start of the month against some of the best riders on the circuit.

And he backed that up with a 17th place finish in stage one of the Tour of the Reservoir, in Northumberland on April 11 – the only rider finishing in the top 20 to not ride for one of the top 10 professional teams in the country.

The result was made even more impressive considering he was knocked off his bike during a warm-down ride only days before the race.

Wood said he was riding through Hadleigh when a car turned and hit him, knocking him to the floor.

And he admitted he was lucky to escape serious injury, and fortunate the accident happened only a stone’s throw away from Chartwell Private Hospital.

“It came out of nowhere,” he said. “They say that accidents always seem to happen near home and that was the case for me.

“I was only riding at 14mph and it was a real shock. I hit my head pretty hard but I was so lucky that a nurse at the hospital saw the whole thing.

“I was wearing my orange jersey and a yellow hi-vis jacket, but it just shows these things can happen so quickly.”

Despite the crash, the Canvey teenager rode well to secure a 17th-placed finish, although he struggled the following day – failing to finish along with the rest of his team.

Wood admits he was battling flu ahead of the Tour of the Reservoir race and he has spent most of his time since recovering from illness, something he is not enjoying.

“I am sitting outside in the sun and all I want to do is get out on the bike,” he said. “But I would rather get better and put in a good performance in my next race, than ride all week and do long-term damage.

“I am racing with confidence and with some of the best professionals. It is great for me and I believe I can push on this year.”