A teenage cyclist from Wilmslow is heading to Belgium after signing a contract for 2016 with the under 23 development squad of the professional cycling team Lotto Soudal.
Following a very successful season, 17-year-old Alex Braybrooke of HMT Academy Cycling Team has recently completed his A Levels at Wilmslow High School and will move to Belgium at the beginning of 2016.
Alex Braybrooke said "Last January when I sat down with my coach, I set out the goal of riding for a World Tour development team. I'm now really excited to end this season on a high at Philip Gilbert Classic [Belgium] and Junior Tour of Wales, before I start to focus on next year and my future goals."
He added "HMT Academy have played a key role in getting me to where I want to be, and without their support I wouldn't have been able to get the results I needed this year."
Alex has had his best season to date this year, with top 5's in nearly every major tour and race across Europe that the team have competed in. The highlight of which was finishing second overall at the Junior Tour of the Basque Country, in June.
Commenting on Alex's signing, coach Jon Sharples said "Alex is a true professional and I am confident that this next step up will be good for his development. Alex is extremely good at taking on advice and although this next year will be tough, I'm sure Alex will do very well."
HMT Academy's Director Sportive, Mark Barry said "This is a brilliant opportunity for Alex and gives him a springboard to achieve his ambitions within cycling".
Braybrooke will join fellow British rider James Shaw, who signed for Lotto Soudal in 2015. Before moving to Belgium, James also rode for HMT, whose ambition is to develop young riders and give them the opportunities they need to be able to ride for teams such as Lotto, when they leave the Junior team and move into the under 23 ranks.
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