A cyclist from Saffron Walden is continuing to make waves in the sport as he looks to further his career.

Will Gilbank has been making numerous trips to the continent to race but his latest outing was closer to home and saw him claim his first podium in a men's senior race when he came second in the 108km Ike Saul Memorial Race around Great Chesterford and Littlebury with loops of Wendens Ambo.

He had attacked early as the group split but a mechanical in front of Audley End put him back among the chasers.

He re-established contact with the front group though before being edged out in the sprint by Callum Laborde.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Will Gilbank in action during the Cicle Classic. Picture: CHARLIE GILBANKWill Gilbank in action during the Cicle Classic. Picture: CHARLIE GILBANK (Image: Charlie Gilbank)

He was also involved in the Cicle Classic near Melton Mowbray, Britain's answer to the cobbled classics of northern France and Belgium.

This is held over sections of gravel and farm tracks, made worse by difficult conditions.

Again he attacked early and spent 50km out on his own at the front of the race, hoovering up the king of the mountains points.

However, his race ended with a slip on some mud and grease on one of the farm sections, leaving him out of the race.

Belgium was where he has spent a lot of the spring.

He came third in his first race out of 70 in his category before tackling a UCI race at Guido-Reybrouck near Brugges.

This had an international field of 150 riders and saw Gilbank come 48th in the 10 km time trial and then 69th of only 76 finishers in the 130 km race.

Another mechanical, this time in the last 500m of the race meant he had to run the remaining distance with the bike on his shoulder.

Over Easter he was in the Limburg region of the Netherlands for a four-day race.

A 4km prologue placed him 31st out of 150 and the following three stages were raced point to point.

Gilbank had moved up to ninth in the Young Rider competition before the crosswinds of the final day split the racing and allowed only 54 to finish inside the time limit.

Gilbank is supported by Matt's Auto Repair Services, Saffron Walden Round Table, TLC Live, Pedal Potential, Highway Cycles and MK1 Scaffolding Ltd.

For more information on the budding Olympian and GB rider, go to gilbankracing.com or email gilbankracing@gmail.com