SCOTT Thwaites is in line to make a potential shock return to competitive cycling at next Wednesday's Otley Cycle Races, with only formalities holding him back.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale rider suffered a dreadful training injury in March, and there were fears that it would be a long time before his comeback.

Just three months later though, he has insisted he is ready to compete again, saying: "The training is going well and I'm well ahead of where I thought I would be.

"I'm not in the best shape or back to full fitness but I'm certainly able to compete and I'm having no trouble controlling the bike.

"I'd love to be on the start line at Otley next week, but I need to get signed off by my team (Dimension Data) to compete so there's a couple of issues there. Once that's sorted, I can return."

Thwaites discussed how important the event is to his fellow professionals, saying: "The Otley Cycle Races are massively prestigious and it's Queen of the Criteriums so everyone wants to win.

"If you look at the list of past winners, you can see that it's not just full of local and domestic riders. Mark Cavendish has won here before for example.

He admitted that he would love to make individual history at Otley, having emerged victorious there twice before, in 2011 and 2012.

He said: "I think Jonny Clay has the record with three wins so I'm only one behind. Even if it's not this year, I still think I'm young enough to come here again and break the record."

Otley Cycle Races organiser Nigel Bishop was equally positive when discussing the event, which is now in its 33rd year.

He said: "It's one of the biggest festivals that the town has. If you go down Bondgate on the night of the event, a big proportion of the crowd aren't your typical cycling fans, they're there for the spectacle."

Talented Otley teenager Tom Pidcock, who will be wearing his national champion jersey, is set to compete in the men's race alongside Thwaites.

Bishop was delighted to have him on board and he was also enthusiastic when discussing youth participation, with Under-16 events for both boys and girls.

He said: "It's massive for the youths. Quite often their events are run in parks or at sports grounds, where there's no crowd or atmosphere.

"This event gives them the chance to race in front of massive crowds and experience what it's like to be a pro rider. I hope it gives them some inspiration to go on and do that on a bigger platform."

Roads will close at 5.15pm next Wednesday before the first event (U16 Boys) begins at 6pm.