Proud Penrice eyes Olympics

JOSH Penrice proudly shows off one of his medals.

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CYCLIST Josh Penrice admitted he found things tough going at the Sainsbury’s UK School Games — but the Oldham teenager came through with flying colours to help clinch two team gold medals.

Representing the North West, the Saddleworth School pupil played a vital role in securing team victories in the time trial and criterium races, with 30th and 31st place overall finishes respectively.

In the individual races, the 16-year-old fared best in the time trial, finishing in 16th, while he placed 30th in the road race and crossed the line 38th in the criterium.

And despite struggling at times to cope with the unforgiving circuit, the Sportcity Velo club racer revealed the support he received inspired him to push it to the limit.

“The course was so tough it was nothing like any time trial track I have ever done before,” said Penrice.

“The atmosphere in and around the course was brilliant to be honest - it made a huge difference.

“The encouragement we were all got at the start and finish line was top notch.”

Also in the gold-medal winning team was fellow Sportcity Velo rider Jacob Ragan from Denshaw.

Riding in his first Sainsbury’s UK School Games, Penrice now has a taste for the big competition and wants to progress to the next level.