A TEENAGE cyclist is making his debut for Team GB today as he takes on athletes from all over Europe at the Youth Olympics.
Josh Charlton, from Sherburn Village, near Durham, is representing the country at the European Youth Olympic Festival, which is being held in Baku, in Azerbaijan this week.
The 16-year-old, who rides for Hetton Hawks Cycling Club, has just finished doing his GCSEs at Belmont Community School and is part of the GB cycling team's Olympic Development Apprenticeship scheme.
It will be the first time he has represented GB at an international competition and is one of the few opportunities to compete in a multi-sport event.
Josh Charlton is part of Team GB, which is competing at the Youth Olympics in Baku
He is part of a three-man team and is taking part in a 10km time trial on Tuesday, and will be doing the road race on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the event, Josh said: "It feels incredible to be selected. I got the email about four weeks ago confirming it and I just started shaking.
"It’s difficult to describe the feeling knowing you’re going to represent your nation in front of the world.
“A podium in Baku would be a dream come true, especially in the time trial event where I’m strongest, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to grow and learn as a person and an athlete.
“It’s going to give me the experience of a multi-sport event and what to expect at an Olympics if I’m lucky enough to make it there one day.
"Our coach said the next big multi-sport event we could be part of might be the Olympics so that’s a pretty exciting and daunting thought.”
He will be be cheered on by proud parents Mike and Nicola, who are spending the week in Baku to support him and rest of the Team GB.
Mr Charlton said: "He's very disciplined. A few years ago he met one of his heroes and he said if you want to be successful you have to make sacrifices. He can't go out with his mates because he has to train and catch up with his school work.
Josh Charlton in action Picture: DARRAN MOORE
"He's diligent and focussed on what he does.
"That's his dream, to see if he can get to the Olympics.That's what everything is gearing towards."
Though he has been riding bikes for most of his life, Josh has been a member of Hetton Hawks since he was 11 and has been racing for about four years.
After coming third in the national road racing championships in 2017 he was selected for the Olympic Development Apprenticeship scheme and now has regular training in Derby and Manchester.
Josh, who also races with MTS Cycle Sport, is now hoping to graduate to Team GB's junior academy.
He holds a national title for time trial and came fourth at the national road championships two weeks ago.
Josh is one of 44 young rising stars who are competing for Team GB in Baku.
The competition will see about 2,500 athletes from 48 European countries compete in 10 Olympic sports.
The opening ceremony took place on Sunday and the competition is on until Saturday.
Team GB is sending athletes to compete in cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming, tennis and wrestling.
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