Teenager wants to be a Tour de Force

FOURTEEN-year-old Jack Reed has been doing odd jobs in and around Ellwood in order to pursue his dream of becoming a professional cyclist.

Dedicated Jack (pictured), who also has two paper rounds, has now saved enough money to put down a deposit on a new racing bike.

Jack's story is remarkable.

Like many young boys of his age, he was a football fanatic – good enough to play in goal for Cardiff City's junior sides – until he watched the Great British cycling team dominate at the 2008 Olympics.

He joined the Newport Velo Youth Club and the Forest of Dean Cycling Club and immediately dedicated himself to his new sport.

Within a year, he has risen to eighth in the national under-14s rankings (his aim at the start of the season was to break into the top 50).

He won the 15-race Summer Series at Castle Combe, the Cheltenham Series and a stage of the Youth Tour of Wales, where he finished third overall.

Overall, he rode in 31 races this year, winning 18 and coming runner-up seven times.

Next year, Jack moves up to the under-16s age-group where he'll be competing against the best young talents in the Midlands and South West.

He has already been offered the chance to ride for Bromyard-based racing team Epic Cycles-Viner, who have several elite riders and a string of juniors in the Olympic development squad.

Jack's father Chris said: "What he has achieved in his first year is amazing but he wants to do this for a career.

"He wants to be the next Mark Cavendish.

"He works hard and every single penny he saves goes into his cycling fund. It's not a cheap sport. He's always training – either out in the Forest on his bike or working on his turbo trainer in the garage.

"He wants to be a success and I know that no-one will work harder."