Aldridge honoured to claim top award
Charlie Aldridge will soon need to upgrade his trophy cabinet.
For the ever-improving Crieff mountain biker has picked up another accolade to keep his feel-good factor in the sport flowing strong.
He has been named Scottish Cycling’s Developing Rider of the Year after pedalling to success on the local, national and international stage.
Aldridge’s list of achievements is certainly impressive, none more so than being crowned world junior champion in Canada last August.
This latest award was another feather in the cap and Aldridge said: “It is really special.
“It’s a competitive category as there are quite a lot of fast young riders in Scotland right now.
“And the trophy itself is pretty impressive so I’m very happy. There are several big names on the trophy so hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.
“The response to my results and wins last year has been overwhelming. It is really motivating to see so many people interested in what I do and supporting my racing. I’ve had quite a lot of time to think about my achievements and I suppose it makes me want to do even better.”
Aldridge has moved up to the under-23 category for this year and that is sure to present a number of new challenges. But he holds excitement for what lies ahead.
“It is good because there is less pressure to do well,” Aldridge said. “And I can focus on training more now that I have left school - and before I possibly go to university. I have already done a couple of under-23 races in Spain and managed to win one of them.
“For a lot of the races I enter this year, I will be racing in the same race as the elite riders and occasionally racing against some of my heroes which is good fun.
“I am based at home right now, training full time. My time is split between training at home in the cold and the rain for a few weeks then away abroad for a couple of races and training in the sun before I come home again. Training is hard as usual but it is worth it in the end.”
It will certainly all be worth it if Aldridge can fulfil his ambition of making it to the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Aldridge told the PA: “Paris [2024] is definitely my main long term goal, along with several other big races such as the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the world champs in Scotland in 2023.
“As well as the racing and training, the places I get to travel to and the other opportunities cycling gives me is a big part of why I race. Building up to those races, I just want to enjoy riding my bike.
“Hopefully, with a lot of hard work, the results will come.”
Scottish Cycling’s mountain bike coach, Paul Newnham, has watched Aldridge’s development in the sport with a strong sense of pride and praised his hard work and skill.
“It has been an honour to watch Charlie progress through the ranks from mini downhill and cross country to becoming the European youth champion and first ever British male world champion in MTB,” he explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“His drive and determination, as well as strong fitness and skill, is ultimately what earned him this success and the Scottish Cycling Developing Rider of the Year Award.”