A WELSHPOOL cyclist has the record books in his sights as he prepares to claim a new British title this month.

Seventeen-year-old Fred Meredith is already the Welsh Junior Time Trial Champion, nationally ranked in the top 15 for his age group at Cyclocross and has achieved multiple top 25 positions in the National Road Junior series.

On March 14 he will attempt to complete the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bicycle from a standing start.

He said: “This would be a massive achievement for me and would be great if it were sufficient to set a British record and inspire other junior riders to give it a go, or even to just get out on their bike.

“I want to show other young riders in a similar position and at my local club that it’s possible to race and compete at a high level without any training facilities nearby."

The attempt, nicknamed ‘Project 50 in 60’, is considered to be one of the most prestigious events in cycling.

Fred will aim to cycle 200 laps of the track at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome in Newport, covering a distance of 50 km in one hour.

He is a member of the Holohan Coaching Race Team, and undertaking the record attempt with the support of GB cyclist Dan Bigham, coaching from former professional Liam Holohan and British Cycling.

He added: “I’m so honoured to be supported by Dan and my sponsors and be working with Liam and the team at Holohan Coaching, it’s such an intense discipline and it’s very precise training.”

Dan Bigham is the current elite hour record holder and has given his backing to Fred’s attempt, offering Fred the use of his state of the art bike that he used for his own successful record attempt in September 2021.

Anyone can follow the live stream of the record attempt at https://www.facebook.com/holohancoachingrt