A teen cyclist from Great Sampford has taken a big win in his young career.

Will Gilbank continued his stellar form by taking the top spot at the Bath Road Club National Junior Series race.

The 17-year-old had finished ninth in round three in Yorkshire and then fourth in the round four event in Devon.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Wil Gilbank stands in the middle of the podium. Picture: CHARLES GILBANKWil Gilbank stands in the middle of the podium. Picture: CHARLES GILBANK (Image: Charles Gilbank)

Held on the roads around Leighton Buzzard, the race attracted 60 of the best juniors from the country, all aiming to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Geraint Thomas, Alex Dowsett and Tom Pidcock.

The 20km lap had a gradual climb into a headwind before an exposed section where the wind really played a part.

It finished with a 10 per cent drag to the finish.

Gilbank was well positioned at the front of the bunch into the first climb before attacking with a group of eight other riders in the second lap.

They established a two-minute lead over the rest of the peloton and by lap five it became clear that the win would come from the front.

And it was on the downhill part away from the windy plateau that Gilbank saw his opportunity, attacking and getting to the final climb with enough of a buffer to take his first national win.

Gilbank has also won the Brixton Super Madison at the Herne Hill Velodrome recently as well as claiming silver at the Track Team Championships.

He thanked his supporters after the victory: Matt's Auto Repair Services, Saffron Walden Round Table, TLC Live, Pedal Potential, Highway Cycles, Knight Frank, Dunmow Rotary Club and MK1 Scaffolding Ltd.

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