A HEREFORDSHIRE road-racing cyclist has earned an elite race licence for next year.

Andy Turner, who is from near Ross-on-Wye, gained a number of podium finishes in national ranking events this year, including finishing second in an 85-mile race in the West Midlands Regional Championships.

He was up against many professional riders, including former Team Pursuit World Champion Andy Tennant.

After a successful initial attack from the start which established a lead group, Turner attacked again and managed to distance these riders while accompanied by Team Wiggins’ Liam Holohan.

The pair worked together to extend the gap over the last lap of the race with Turner finishing in second place overall after Holohan got away from him on the final climb.

Turner began his cycling with Climb-on-Bikes Cycling Club in Hereford and spent two years riding for NFTO Race Club.

During this time, he was spotted by Courtney Rowe of Rowe & King Coaching, who has been his coach for the last two years.

This season he has been racing for KTM Impsport RT, an amateur UK trade team showcasing KTM bikes.

Turner is now hoping that his elite licence will secure him entry into more of these next year.

Ultimately, he would like to become a professional cyclist and is certainly taking significant steps towards achieving that goal.

Turner is supported by Pedal Potential, a community interest company which identifies and supports talented young athletes.

He also manages to fit in a part-time job around his training but this still leaves a shortfall to cover essential cycling-related expenses.

Therefore, if any Herefordshire businesses would be interested in supporting him they can email him at andrew@foandal.com

Alternatively, to find out more about his cycling, visit andyturner132.wordpress.com