Lizzie's brother has classic ambition (From Wharfedale Observer)

Lizzie's brother has classic ambition

10:27am Thursday 14th June 2012 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

While Lizzie Armitstead prepares for the biggest challenges of her cycling career, her brother Nick is quietly getting ready for the race he would most like to win.

The 26-year-old plumber, who rides with the Otley-based Dirtwheels team, would love to win the Chevin Cycles Classic on the steets of his home town.

He might also find himself racing against his little sister next Wednesday if she decides to ride with the National Road Race Champ- ionship at the weekend and the Olympic games looming.

Nick, who often enjoys training rides in the Dales with Lizzie when she is at home, is adamant that they wouldn’t be taking each other on if they do both take part.

He said: “Lizzie is very good and very strong. I know that if she made a break I wouldn’t race her and I am sure she wouldn’t do the same to me. We may be in the same race but we won’t be racing each other.”

This year has been a difficult one for Nick. Illness and then a bad crash kept him out of the saddle earlier this year.

“I was riding out near Farnley when I crashed into a dear,” he recalkled.

“I didn’t break any bones but I suffered some injuries which stopped me from cycling.”

He added: “It took me a little while to get back in the swing of things but I have been having some decent results recently.”

Nick is a relatively recent convert to road racing. He only took it up three years ago after previously trying his hand at BMX.

He said: “When I started racing my target was to try and win the Classic race at Otley.

“That is still my goal and I hope that one day I can achieve it.”