Matt Nowell has spoken of his shock at the news the Tour Series will arrive in his hometown this summer.
The 20-year-old is thrilled at the prospect of seeing the top crit racers in the country tear around the streets of Northwich on Friday, May 12.
He is determined to impress BIKE Channel Canyon sports director Tim Elverson and earn a ride in the event, which will be the third round of the unique team competition.
But he admitted he had to double check Elverson had not made a mistake when the squad were given the race calendar for the season. Nowell said:
“I asked Tim if he had misspelt Norwich! I couldn’t believe it. I thought it must be somewhere like Norwich, not Northwich. I was shocked.
“It came as a big surprise. I have highlighted it on the team calendar now, though. It is definitely one I want to get on and have a crack.
“I have always said the one-way system would make a good crit circuit, so it is quite funny the Tour Series are now coming to town.
“I am really excited for it. It obviously depends how I’m going, how the team is going and what other races I’m doing. But I would love to race it.”
Nowell believes the Northwich round will be combined with the town’s Pedal Power Cycling Festival, which is organised by his home club Weaver Valley.
And the former Wheelbase Altura rider is relishing the chance to play his part in inspiring a new breed of bike racers in Cheshire. He added:
“It will be really good because the whole club will be down their watching. Some of the old dudes I have been out riding with since I started are still cracking on.
“I still go to the club run on a Saturday morning, so it will be good to get down there and race in front of a home crowd.
“Hopefully the Tour Series will inspire some more to get on their bikes and if there are a few cheering me on around the circuit, that would be nice!”
The Tour Series will begin in Redditch on Tuesday, May 9. Alongside the Northwich date, rounds will follow in Stoke, Wembley, Croydon, Bath, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Durham before the championship climaxes in Stevenage on Monday, May 29. Click here to find out more.
Pictures courtesy of Ellen Isherwood.
