New Forest teen crowned champion at Youth Tour of Kent

Thomas Wilks, 15, from Landford in the New Forest, secured victory at the Youth Tour of Kent following his earlier triumph at the Youth Tour of Scotland in April.

The event took place on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 and featured three stages, including a prologue race, which was a 2km time trial, and the final stage was an hour and 15 minute race, 46km long.

Tom said: "I placed 23rd in the prologue, which I wasn’t terribly pleased with and was really hoping I would be able to move up a bit on stage 2 and 3.

"I knew that stage three would suit me well with a big hill that would encourage splits, and my aim from the start was to attack the lap after the prime, which is a lap where whoever crosses the line first gets points.

"I attacked the following lap up the climb and immediately got a decent gap and settled into my own pace, building it up to a maximum of 45 seconds.

"Despite a hard chase behind, I managed to hold on and take the win by 30 seconds and win GC by 19 seconds."

Tom has been racing since he was five years old and competed in his first road race at the age of seven. He goes to the Trafalgar School at Downton, where he also competes in cross-country running.

Tom Wilks wins the Youth Tour of Kent (Image: Chopper Pics)

He races as part of Beeston Cycling Academy and said he was really happy with his win.

He said: "I was really happy at the end, and I was glad I could win another race after winning in Scotland, as it proves that I can keep winning.

"After the first two stages, I was quite far down in GC, but I knew I could bring it back.

"I am grateful for my team and their sponsors, and I would like to thank my coach, Huw Williams.

"My aim is definitely to be signed to a pro team one day and race in the big competitions around the world."

You can follow Tom’s cycling journey here: instagram.com/cycly_tom?igsh=eXN3Ynpsa3U0Z29r