Praise for Sam as he heads to the ‘Rock’

GUERNSEY’S Sam Culverwell has featured as one of The British Continental website’s five standout performance form domestic riders at the National Road Championships.

Members of the Guernsey Cycling, Athlete and Triathalon teams departing for the Island Games in Gibraltar 2019. Back row, left to right: Marc Cox, Jack English, Sam Culverwell, James Roe, Mike Serafin, Jamie-Lee Wright, Sarah Mercier, Karina Bowie. Front: Hannah Brehaut, Danielle Hanley, Maddie Wilson and Chantal Green. (Picture by Stacey Upson, 25119965)

The Team Estera rider, who is now in Gibraltar preparing for the Island Games which start on Saturday, finished 12th in the national road race, leading to high praise from the respected cycling blog.

‘At just 18 years old, and a virtual unknown at the beginning of 2019, Sam Culverwell capped an incredible first half of the season with 12th place in the men’s road race,’ it reads.

‘The young rider from Guernsey, who has only recently completed his A-levels, started the season with the aim of earning a contract with a Continental team.

‘Culverwell has already beaten some of country’s top Continental riders this season, with no less than three National B race wins, as well as a third at the Severn Bridge road race and sixth at the Perfs Pedal. Twelfth at the national road race though, besting a string of top class pro riders, feels like another level.

‘If he doesn’t earn himself a Continental contract – or better – next season, I’ll eat my casquette.’