Talkingshop: George Atkins Crit Series Winner

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GB Academy rider George Atkins was the winner of the Elite Circuit Series last night in Sheffield

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Former Junior RR Champion, George Atkins made the most of riding all six rounds of the Series, scoring well in all of them and winning one, Stockton, as well. He finished the series over 30 points clear of last years winner, Graham Briggs (Raleigh) with up and coming rider Felix English in third.

2013_GeorgeAtkins_Sheffield

After the final round in Sheffield, George admitted his rivals didn’t make it easy for him and that he was pretty happy to come away from the brutal race with the series victory. It is unusual to see a GB academy rider doing the whole series as they do have a lot of races elsewhere in the world and when asked if this was a way of him paving the way for a pro career post academy, George replied “I guess so. I never made the selection for the Euros and so I think that is kind of the track route done for me and I never got to go to the road Euros so it’s nice to be going into what I hope to be doing next year and get a feel for it.”

Asked for a highlight of the series, unsurprisingly, George went for the round he won! “I have to say Stockton as I won there. Otley is always a good one and I really like that as a circuit and Beverley was as well was a good round for me.” Asked if he’s had to do anything specific to train for the series, George replied “no, not at all. We did a German stage race and then at the nationals I was ill so had five days off.”

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George was a British Madison champion with UK Youth rider Jon Mould.

“Then we did Otley seven days later after a little road work but nothing specific. Sometimes that can help in a way as you come into it fresh and feeling fit. I have only really been riding the crits and then ticking over.” Asked what now for him, the series winner replied “I’m riding the Ryedale GP and maybe the pro race in London but after that, I hope to make the Tour de l’Avenir and Tour of Britain team but I’m not hugely hopeful on that.”

George then explained that his manager at the Academy, former professional Keith Lambert has been brilliant and that they are helping him find a UK based pro team and that’s his plan. “I’m as motivated as ever” he says and with pro teams all looking for talented riders, I’m sure we’ll see more of George in 2014…

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Winning in Stockton a few weeks ago

Final top 10 of the series

1 George Atkins 100% ME 230
2 Graham Briggs Team Raleigh 196
3 Felix English Rapha – Condor – JLT 196
4 Mike Northey Node4 – Giordana Racing 192
5 Dean Downing Madison Genesis 170
6 Ed Clancy Rapha – Condor – JLT 170
7 Andrew Hawdon Herbalife – LeisureLakes Bikes 159
8 Jon Mould Team UK Youth 124
9 Tom Murray Metaltek – Knights of Old Racing Team 119
10 Dan Barry Node4 – Giordana Racing 111

 

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