CYCLING: TEENAGER Matt Shaw has been presented the Tommy Godwin Award by the Solihull School Sports Federation ten years after receiving his first ever cycling accolade from the double Olympic medallist himself.
It was presented to the Solihull Cycling Club rider by Tommy’s Grandson and has been awarded for winning the British Cycling Youth National Series in 2016 and finishing third in the National Track Omnium Championships.
The Youth National Series consists of seven gruelling races with around 100 riders competing in each race.
Shaw won three out of the seven national events, taking top spot in the Cardiff National Race, the Hetton National series and the Screentek North West Tour – a three-day stage race covering over 100 miles.
The 16-year-old continued to achieve top ten positions throughout the series and was joined by his Solihull team mates, James Alexander and Harry Gillet with James taking two top ten positions and Harry a second place in the last race of the season.
“It means a lot to me being awarded the Tommy Godwin Award,” said Shaw, who attends Tudor Grange Academy.
“Tommy and Harry Reynolds (Olympic Silver Medallist and Tour de France rider) used to come and watch all the Solihull youth riders racing at Halesowen’s Track League on a Friday night and I used to enjoy listening to his stories of the Olympics and his cycling days.
“I was really pleased to win the National series. I train for about 20 hours a week, either on road rides of up to five hours or indoors on a turbo trainer or rollers and do strength and conditioning work most days.
“It’s hard fitting school work in especially with GCSE exams coming up soon but my school, Tudor Grange Academy, is very supportive and I have learnt to be much more organised.”
Shaw has been invited to race for Wheelbase Cabtech Junior Elite Development team for the 2017 season and will be stepping up to the junior ranks where races are contested on the open road over distances of around 70 miles.
