National champion sets Olympic target

JIMMY CARLING has moved one step closer to fulfilling his dream of taking part in the Olympics. Guernsey's 16-year-old cycling star claimed the British youth title with an impressive win at Checkendon in the Chiltern Hills near Henley at the weekend, following on from a series of successes through the year in competitions across England and Scotland.

The youngster's latest victory was comprehensive as he put an incredible 1min. 42sec. between himself and Northern Ireland competitor Andy McCullough, by completing the course in 57-36. He was a full two minutes ahead of his arch rival Alex Atkins of England.

Carling and McCullough had previously discussed a plan for the start of the race.

The intention was to get into the fast downhill sections first so that the two could pull away from Atkins, taking advantage of the English competitor's weakness in the more challenging sections.

The pair gained a fantastic start, propelling themselves into first and second and fulfilling their plan by having a useful margin over the Englishman.

At this point, Carling's superior fitness saw him pass the Irish rider and he never looked back as he extended his lead over the remaining riders to win comfortably, thus sealing the 2003 National Points Series title.

'I could not have wished for a better course for such an important race,' said the delighted Carling.

'The vast majority of it was really technical but also incredibly fast. These sections and the various climbs definitely gave me the upper hand.'

Despite this, Carling was mindful of the large quantities of sharp flint that littered the course and that had already cost him a split in his rear tyre, which had to be replaced 45 minutes before the race.

'Anything can happen so I carry a spare tube and inflation device so that if anything does go wrong, I am more than prepared,' he said.

The Grammar School student had been frustrated during 2003 as he had to prioritise his GCSE studies which resulted in his training schedule being put on the back burner at times, particularly during the summer.

But with his studies over in the short term, UK Talent Team coach Graham Macnamee and Carling set about getting the local lad's fitness back up to National competition standard.

'The nice thing about Jimmy is that he listens and takes on board our advice but also knows to listen to his body and, when appropriate, apply his own initiative to the training.

'What we have seen to date with Jimmy and all the other Guernsey competitors is a very high standard of ability and skill,' said Macnamee.

David Harry, the Guernsey Velo Club president, emphasised the amount of effort on the part of the Carling family that had gone into this achievement.

'We are very proud of him. We believe he is the club's first national champion,' he said.

'I think it is the dedication of the whole family that has got him to where he is. People like Paul Brehaut and Ann Bowditch are obviously very dedicated but with Jimmy being the age that he is, he has to rely on his parents taking him to the races - it is really a family effort.

'It is great to see him winning the British title. Children at that age often waver from their sport and to find somebody as enthusiastic as Jimmy is excellent.'

There is the distinct possibility that Carling could be the first of several young Guernsey riders to make their mark in national competitions.

Tom Sherwill is another who is a member of the Talent Team and they want to come over to assess more Sarnian riders in the near future.

As for his immediate plans, Carling is taking some time just to let his achievement sink in.

'I would just like to savour my success for the moment. I will be talking to my coach soon so we can come up with a plan for the winter and the forthcoming new year.

'I could not have done this without my mum and dad. They have been truly awesome. The hours they have spent driving me to the races and finding accommodation have not gone unnoticed. They are simply the best,' he said.