NEWTOWN teenager Max Bufton is celebrating after earning a place in the Welsh cycling squad for the forthcoming Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bufton’s recognition further underlines his potential as one of Wales’ leading emerging cyclists and becomes the latest Powys talent to earn Welsh honours and underlining the county’s reputation as a producer of top talent.
It has been a whirlwind year for the teenager from Newtown whose career continues to go from strength to strength.
The teenager is currently in his first season with the Tofauti Everyone Active race team having come through the ranks of the Newtown based Hafren Cycling Club.
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It has been a season of milestones for Bufton.
He said: “I competed in a 4-day UCI stage race in Belgium earlier this month and was pleased to take my first ever UCI podium, finishing third in the bunch sprint.
Max Bufton (right) will represent Wales next month.
“We raced nearly 400km over five stages in hot conditions and I was so pleased to get a result in a field that was stacked with top class international riders.”
Bufton was further rewarded when he learned his progress had not gone unnoticed by Welsh Cycling chiefs.
He said: “Last week I got the call from Welsh Cycling to say that I had been selected to represent Wales in the Youth Commonwealth games in the road race and time trial.
“I am super proud to be representing my country and I am really looking forward to visiting the Caribbean.
“I will be travelling with the whole of Team Wales on July 31st and will be spending 14 days on the island of Trinidad. Both my races are on the Island of Trinidad and I am also get to visit Tobago for the closing ceremony. “
Bufton will remain focused and before earning his Welsh vest he will be competing in Austria and the junior track championships.
He said: “While I can’t wait for this experience of the games to start, I have another UCI race in Austria and the Junior National Track Championships to compete in before I travel.”
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