James Alexander is an U23 (BC Cat 2) rider racing for Beeston Cycling Club competing on the road and track both regionally and nationally. 

James has been riding and competing within British Cycling since he ‘got hooked’ at the early age of 7 and joined Solihull Cycling Club, his nearest BC ‘Go Ride’ club. Whilst at Solihull CC James experienced all types of racing from Road, Cyclocross and Track. 

As a youth rider James developed his race craft and bunch skills through racing the National Series and attending the British Cycling Regional School of Racing Sessions. This enabled him to step up to adult racing as a Junior and further develop his racing style.

The early years

Having initially started riding with Solihull CC James stayed with them throughout his formative years as a cyclist competing both regionally and nationally in both Road and Track racing. In 2016, James’ final year as a youth rider he had the opportunity to experience the European race scene by racing a Belgium Kermese, the Passendale – Nieuwelingen, where he finished 5th.  This was his first taste of racing abroad and has ultimately led to him explore what racing on the continent has to offer.  The same year James was selected to represent ‘The West Midlands’ at the UK School Games. The team competed against 12 other teams in road events, including a Team Time Trial and Road Race – both of which the team won outright. Overall, the West Midlands Team won the Silver Medal. James thoroughly enjoyed the weekend full of racing as a team.

Also during that year he rode, and won, the Mallory Youth League which ultimately led to him moving to the MI Racing Team for his years as a Junior. 

Maximising the junior years 

Junior races meant longer races on the ‘open road’ and against adults and he was looking forward to the challenge! He rode in a selection of races gaining experience and facing the challenges of a varied way of racing. He rode in the Junior Tour of Ireland, had the opportunity to race abroad in Belgium again, tried his hand at City Centre Crit Racing, rode the Junior Cicle Classic, and competed in regional races. He didn’t miss out on his Track 

racing either, riding at the sharp end of the Derby Track League, the Junior Icebreaker Endurance Omnium, and also the Dave Creasy Memorial Madison. Unfortunately following a crash his team mate was forced to abandon, subsequently he rode the following day’s support race where he had some top results including winning the Elimination Race. At the end of his Junior years James was given the opportunity to ride for the Bryan Steel Racing Academy. 

2019 started his U23 career

2019 was James’ first year as an U23. He planned to have a season split into two which would cater to him sitting his A Levels in the Summer. Despite the A Levels and a dislocated shoulder, mid way through the year, he still managed to get in some good racing which included regional road races, the Otley GP and the Bourne Classic. This was a National A Race which covered over 100 miles of tough, lumpy terrain and one of the most prestigious and toughest races James had ever completed and was both a great experience and memorable way to round off his season.

2020 and beyond

For 2020 James has stayed with Bryan Steel, as a coach, and is now racing for Beeston Cycling Club where he hopes to continue his development. He was aiming to gain his 1st Cat licence this year, although racing is now limited due to Covid-19. He is continuing to train hard in the hope racing would be back towards the end of the year, although this has just taken a slight knock with him breaking his collar bone whilst out on a training ride. Bring on 2021 !