Charles Page has spoken of his elation at signing a maiden professional contract.
The 18-year-old (now 19), from Amersham in Buckinghamshire, will get his senior career rolling with Tim Elverson’s UCI Continental squad in 2018.
And he is determined to make the most of the opportunity after a series of setbacks almost saw him walk away from the sport in 2016.
Page, who has bounced back in style with a number of eye-catching performances including fifth at the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne Juniors, said:
“I’m pretty ecstatic, particularly after last season [2016] when there were points where I thought about quitting cycling.
“I was out for most of it with an Achilles injury and various other things which didn’t do me much good. I spent most of the season off the bike.
“So coming into this season [2017], I wasn’t really expecting much. But everything has just picked up. This season has been my best to date, even with half of it left to go.
“I managed to get a good result at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. That gave me a lift. In fact, I was quite shocked I managed to pull it off!
“I’m happy the hard work over the winter has started to show and I’m elated with the contract. It is so good to have it sorted now but I don’t want to let-up.”
Louis Rose-Davies will also join the team as a first-year professional in 2018, with sports director Elverson shaping his squad for the team’s second season.
The duo are good friends and Page reckons that bond will be a huge help as they make their way in the professional peloton.
Meanwhile, he is dreaming of a return to the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic with his new team after finishing seventh in the junior version. He added:
“I was introduced to Tim while I was racing at Eelmore as an under-16. He always said to come to him when I was a junior and we’d look at a contract, for then what was Pedal Heaven.
“So for it to come to fruition is very satisfying. I can’t wait to get started now. I will be looking to work part-time but, other than that, will be fully focused on my cycling.
“I quite enjoy a smashfest. I’m not the best of climbers but will quite happily get over a hill when I need to and have a pretty powerful kick.
“I love the CiCLE Classic. I would love to get back out there with this team. It was so much fun, I wish all British races were like it.”
Page went on to win the GP Dimitri Defrancq Hooglede Juniores, finish second in the Bath Road Club Junior Road Race and enjoy two top-1os at the Junior Tour of Wales.
He also won the Green Mountain stage race in Vermont, America and teamed up with the renowned John Barclay in Belgium, where he sprinted to success in Harelbeke earlier this season.
Click here to read Elverson’s thoughts on his new recruits. You can follow Page on Twitter via @chazzalecyclist and on Instagram at chazzalecyclist.
