Calum wins contract deal
Youngster is racing to the top
Cyclist Calum Johnston is on track to reach the top of the sport after signing a contract with Zappi Racing Team for next season.
The 19-year-old, from Stewartfield, has penned a deal to race for the development team which is fronted by Italian ex-professional rider Flavio Zappi.
Calum had been guest riding for the team over the past few months, including at the Trofeo Corsanico and Giro Del Valdarno races where he finished 44th and 48th, respectively, out of 200 riders.
The former Duncanrig Secondary School pupil was also given an opportunity to compete in one of the biggest U23 races on the calendar, the Piccolo Giro Di Lombardia, which has an International field featuring some of the biggest U23 teams from all over the world.
And his performances impressed Zappi so much, the owner offered him a place on the team for 2018.
Calum told the News: “I’m over the moon with it.
“I spent two months in Italy and after my results Flavio offered me a contract.
“The top teams in the sport know the Zappi name, so the bigger picture is trying to use it as a stepping stone.
“Being with Zappi can lead to bigger things and my hope is it can eventually lead to a world tour contract.
“That’s the highest level, like the level Team Sky operates at right now, so hopefully teams on the continent see something.”
Calum has been cycling competitively for the past nine years and has been in the saddle since a very young age.
He has come through the ranks on the British Cycling scene but feels he produces his best performances in warmer climes.
Earlier this year he finished ahead of Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee in the Volta a La Marina in Spain, a race featuring over 200 competitors, and finished in 14th place overall.
He will now be based in Italy for most of next year and he said: “It really suits me racing over in Italy and Spain. The courses are quite hilly and I enjoy that.
“I feel moving there will bring the best out of me instead of staying in Britain.
“On January 7 I’ll head off to Alicante for pre-season training just to get myself into shape.
“Following that I head over to Italy to Chiesa and then there will be races throughout Europe over the rest of the season, travelling to France, Belgium and Austria.
“It’s a really good calendar – it’s much better than being in Scotland and racing in miserable weather.”
However, Calum’s new life comes at a cost and he has launched a crowdfunding page to help his dreams come true.
In recent years his parents have supported him but as he makes a step up to a higher level, the financial burden is much greater.
He estimates it will take around £8000 to compete for Zappi and now hopes public generosity can go some way to helping his ambition.
Calum said: “It’s been hard looking for funding and sponsorship, so I decided to set up the page to go towards the costs.
“Every little helps and I have around £700 so far, which is a good start.
“It’s my life’s ambition to become a full-time pro rider and it takes a lot to make it.
“People think I just get to go to all these nice places and ride my bike but there’s a lot of sacrifices that I’ve had to make behind the scenes to get to this point.
“Ultimately, I’m working to make a living out of something I love to do.”
My hope is it can eventually lead to a world tour contract