Lindley cyclist Maddie Leech, 20, has just become a European Champion! The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist has had another incredible summer in the saddle.
Back in June Maddie became the British U23 Time Trial champion before just being pipped to the post in the circuit national event.
Maddie has travelled across Europe and competed against the very best this summer and has now become an U23 European Champion.
Proud mum Joanna said: “Maddie has had a really busy year so far, she’s still based in Manchester with the British Cycling Senior Academy.
“She’s been splitting her time between training and racing on the track and travelling around Europe to compete on the road with her new team, Lifeplus Wahoo.
“It’s been quite a step up this year for her in terms of racing in Europe against World Tour teams, but with each race she’s learning, gaining in confidence and really enjoying the opportunity to experience racing against the best riders in the world.
“In June she competed in the British National Time Trial, circuit and road championships, which took place around the Redcar and Cleveland area.
“The first race of the week was the U23 Time Trial at Croft Circuit, near Darlington. It was a flat and fast route over 27.4km where she set a time of 37.17 just under a minute ahead of the second placed rider to become the British U23 TT champion.
“The next race was the National Circuit Championships in Redcar, she had a huge last lap and was leading into the final straight but got pipped at the finish, she was happy to hold on for the bronze medal.
“After the national championships, her focus switched back to the track and she is currently in Anadia in Portugal where she has just competed in the U23 European Track Championships.
“She’s competed in the U23 Team Pursuit alongside Sophie Lewis, Grace Lister and Kate Richardson and after dominant rides in the qualifying and first rounds, they faced France in the gold medal ride off and beat them by over six seconds to become the European U23 Team Pursuit Champions.
“She also raced last Sunday in the Madison with Sophie Lewis where they also won to become European Champions.
“She’s looking forward to some more road racing coming up in Europe over the next few months.”
READ MORE: How we introduced you to Maddie back in 2021 – and said she could be a champion!
On her emotions watching Maddie race, Joanna added: “We all go through a real mix of emotions whenever we watch Maddie compete. Cycling is a very exciting sport to watch but, as a parent, quite nerve wracking at times.
“The speed they reach during racing is mind blowing. So, it’s a real mix of emotions; pride, excitement, happiness and relief when she crosses the line safely.
“We know the hard work and effort that she puts in, so whether she wins or comes away from a race happy with how she’s raced it’s great and lovely for us to watch her growing in confidence whilst doing something that she really loves.”
