Burley cycle star Scott lands another top title (From Ilkley Gazette)

Burley cycle star Scott lands another top title

7:00am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Scott Thwaites is taking a well-deserved break after confirming his status as the dominant rider in the UK this year.

He followed up his recent triumph in Otley – where he clinched the national Circuit Race Championship – by winning the Premier Cal- endar Series..

He secured the title with one round to go after finishing second at Stockton on Sunday.

Although his Endura Racing outfit only entered a skeleton team and were outnumbered throughout the race, the Burley-in-Wharfedale ace managed to latch on to the Raleigh lead out train to secure the points needed to leave him in an unassailable position.

It crowns a marvellous few months for Thwaites who was the most consistent rider with two individual win as Endura won the Halfords Tour Series.

Still just 22 years old and in his first season as a full-time rider now that his university studies are complete, Thwaites has developed into a true all rounder, with a devastating sprint which has delivered victories in criteriums and road races.

After mechanical problems that led to him faling to get points in the first round of the series, his subsequent performances in stage and one day events, against fields of 100 plus leading riders, have been impressive with two wins, two seconds, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a ninth.

Team commitments in Europe will mean that Endura Racing will miss the final round of the Premier Calendar series, the recently announced Wilton Grand Prix, as they head to Vuelta Ciclista a León in Spain and La Mi-Août en Bretagne in France.

Thwaites said: “I’m very pleased to win the Premier Calendar Series. It’s a big achievement for me and the team as there are so many strong racers in the UK at the moment.

“Most teams have recruited high-quality foreign riders and this has upped the standard significantly.

“It’s perfect sewing up the series win with one round still to go.”

Asked about his future commit- ments Scott said: “I will be taking a break next week before resuming my continental programme.

“Our British commitments are complete now, other than the Tour of Britain which is obviously a major target.

“I would also hope to ride for GB at the U23 European and World Champ- ionships and the Tour L’Avenir.

“These are the leading U23 races in the World and the place to be. I rode them last year and did quite well and I am much stronger and faster this year now I am riding full time and able to do more overseas tours.

“Hopefully, I will be selected and get another chance this year.”