A WEAVERHAM man has scooped a prestigious cycling trophy just six months after he got into the sport.

Matt Sayle, a photographer at the Guardian, has won the Guardian Cup for the most improved rider in Weaver Valley Cycling Club's weekly 10-mile time trials.

The 23-year-old is the first Guardian employee to win the coveted trophy, which gets its name from the fact that the newspaper formerly sponsored the prize.

"I didn't think I'd win the Guardian Cup," Matt said.

"I just came for fun.

"Each week people would say 'how have you done? Have you seen how close it is on the table?' but I just came to enjoy it and if I set a personal best then I'm happy."

Matt's first time trial saw him complete the distance in 30 minutes and three seconds.

By the end of the season he had clocked a best time of 25 minutes and 23 seconds.

As well as smashing his speed over short distances on road, Matt is also building his off-road endurance ready for the gruelling Manx End-to-End challenge on September 13.

This will see him complete 47 miles and 5,500ft of climbing as he rides his mountain bike from one end of the Isle of Man to the other, in aid of The Joshua Tree children's charity.

"It will be challenging because there will be an awful lot of hills," he said.

"It'll be five or six hours of constant cycling on and off road and if the weather's rubbish I'm going to be absolutely caked in mud – it should be fun.

"I like the idea of riding from one end of an island to another, it's something to put on my cycling CV."

Matt only started cycling in January and February when he bought a road bike in the January sales.

He also invested in a mountain bike when he realised that he enjoyed more robust cycling as well.

But it was the Guardian's Pedal Power campaign that introduced him to Weaver Valley Cycling Club when he was dispatched to take a photograph of members in March.

"Everyone was so friendly so that was the starting point to look into it more," he said.

"I found out about the time trials on Wednesday night and that fitted in with my lifestyle.

"I like a bit of competition but don't like serious competition.

"I like to go somewhere where you're not under pressure to perform but it's nice to see how you've done.

"I went to have a look and see what the time trials were like and everyone was so friendly.

"They all chip in and give advice and if you do a faster time or improve more than them they're the first ones to congratulate you – there's no edge, which is what I was concerned about with it being a proper cycling club.

"In a club everyone's there for the same reason – to have fun and enjoy cycling.

"You realise there's a whole community of people who are proper into what you're into.

"If anyone's starting cycling I would say join a cycling club or enquire because the wealth of knowledge there is mega for getting started and meeting like-minded people."

To sponsor Matt's Manx End-to-End Challenge visit justgiving.com/Mattsaylee2e

 

THE Guardian Cup gives beginners chance to ride in the same competition as world champions.

Weaver Valley Cycling Club member Lee Suthard, from Kingsmead, broke club records a number of times during this year's time trial season, clocking a top time of 21 minutes and two seconds over 10 miles.

A total of 43 riders took part in this year's competition, which drew around 15 cyclists each week.

The Guardian Cup was launched in 1968 with the aim to reward the rider who showed the greatest improvement.

Adrian Japp, club secretary, said: "For anyone just joining the club or thinking about joining, it's a great way to ride competitively, against the clock throughout the year, and to measure your improvements.

"It offers the new rider an opportunity to race in the same event as the most experienced and speedy riders – including world champions – and to have a chance of winning maximum points each week as you improve.

"It's also great practice if you intend to race open time trials, and only costs £2.50 for a member to ride the event.

"You'll get an official time, and if you do improve enough, be in with a chance of winning the coveted Guardian Cup.

"It is an exciting and hard to predict competition, so encourages the individual to just keep trying as the season progresses."

Lee Suthard won gold for 3kmm pursuit in his age group in the UCI Track Cycling World Masters championship in October.

He will defend his title on the weekend of October 3 and 4.