TEENAGE cycling star George Wood has backed himself to come back bigger and better than ever after a successful first season with his new team.

Wood has recently ended his first season with Leigh-based outfit Richardsons-Trek Road Team and the 18-year-old has done well in the saddle, claiming a number of victories and even securing an impressive finish in the British Cycling National Road Championships in June.

But despite such a successful summer, Wood had a disruptive start to the season.

Having raced for Maldon & District Cycling Club since he was 12, he was spotted by Neon Velo Cycling Team, after some impressive time-trial displays, and he joined them shortly before a busy summer of cycling.

But, Wood said it didn’t work out at the club and he quickly joined Richardsons-Trek Road Team. And he says it was the best possible decision he could have made.

“Richardsons-Trek has been fantastic for me,” said the rising star. “Joining Neon Velo was a good decision for me at the time but moving on so soon turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

“My first race was at Hog Hill and it was great. And only a few months late I was competing at the British Road Race Championships! It was a fantastic couple of months for me and I have come a long way with the other members of the team.”

Wood was told to shed a few pounds after joining, with the 5ft 7ins rider weighing 71kg. And he said the results were immediate, after he dropped to 64kg.

“I am quite small and weighed quite a lot considering my height. But I dropped the weight and my performances improved immediately.

“So I didn’t have the ideal preparation for the summer as I had only just joined the team and I wasn’t at my peak condition.

“I am just excited for the new season so I can start the season in perfect condition, and kick on.”

Saying that, the teenager had a very successful season with Richardsons-Trek – taking his first win at the Hatfield Puncheur Road Race in May, his maiden triumph in the orange colours of his new team.

He then won an RAF Woodbridge meeting shortly after his fantastic performance at the British Championships in Monmouthshire, in Wales.

“It was incredible,” said Wood. “I was in the top five in the under-23 category and top 25 overall which was amazing for me. To race alongside some of the greats (including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Alex Dowsett) was great for me and the team believe in me too which is important for me.

“They give me the incentive to carry on and we have all raced well this summer. I also got to race twice in Belgium which was great for me. Richardsons-Trek have opened a lot of doors for me.”

And Wood says his teammates can expect to see more from him next year, although he admits he is struggling to follow team orders and rest after the closing race of the season – the Maldon Road Race two weeks ago.

“I love being on the bike,” enthused Wood. “I have taken a few weeks off but found it hard. My life is work and cycle, then repeat. If I can take a week of that is an achievement in itself.

“I am still learning but that is a good thing and am really pleased looking back at this season and I only want to get better. I would love to be a pro one day but whether that will ever happen, I don’t know. But, I’ll keep trying.”