Exeter’s rising cyclist ready for challenge

George Pym, former student at Isca College, is taking part in the Tour of Britain

The local cyclist was inspired to become a pro-cyclist after watching the Tour Series in Exeter in 2009.

Pym, 24, a former student at Isca College, has said that racing in the Tour of Britain through his home county next week will be one of the highlights of his professional career so far.

George, who rides for Madison Genesis, said: “I remember thinking how incredible the Tour Series was. It prompted me to join Exeter Wheelers Cycling Club. I worked hard and gradually got better and better.”

He added: “This will be my second Tour of Britain, having competed in 2015. I admit when it didn’t go through Devon that year I was pretty disappointed. That’s why riding through Devon this year is going to be massive for me. I want to make a good impression and with my family, and friends my old cycling club in Exeter cheering me on will hopefully give me that bit extra. I’m really looking forward to it.”

It is not just elite cyclists who the county council aims to inspire to get on their bikes, but the general public, with Devon among the top six authorities in the country for delivering Bikeability training. Last year Devon County Council celebrated a milestone by training its 50,000th Bikeability trainee in the county and over the past 10 years it has successfully bid for nearly £2.5 million to deliver cycle training in Devon.

Next year, a further 8,700 schoolchildren will benefit from Bikeability cycle training this year after a successful £272,000 bid to deliver more training in the county.