A rising cycling talent from the Wrexham area is beginning to make serious waves on both the national and international stage.
Multiple Disciplines, One Rising Talent
Ethan Said from Summerhill has been competing across multiple disciplines from a young age and is now building a reputation as one of the sport’s most promising junior riders.
Ethan, who turned 11 in April, has already achieved success across:
- Road racing
- Cyclocross
- Mountain biking
- Track cycling
His ability to adapt across formats has helped him secure a number of league and series titles, while consistently performing at a high level against older competitors. That versatility is quickly becoming one of his defining strengths.
This is his second year racing internationally, and he will be heading to the Netherlands in July to take part in the European Junior Tour of Assen. Last year, his best result there was a fourth place—a remarkably strong finish given that it is widely regarded as the biggest race in the world for his age category.
Dominating the Newport Velodrome
Recent performances underline his rapid progress. Competing in the Icebreaker Series at Newport Velodrome—his first-ever experience on the track—Ethan held his own against a strong national field.
Racing in the Under-12 category, he was competing against riders up to two years older. Despite the age gap, he still finished as the second-placed 10-year-old in endurance events and the fastest in sprint races. A ninth-place overall finish capped a confident and impressive introduction to track racing.
Eyeing the Podium at the Tour of Assen
Internationally, Ethan is already gaining invaluable experience. Last year, he impressed at the Youth Tour of Assen in the Netherlands, widely regarded as the leading youth cycling event in the world.
A fourth-place stage finish marked him out as a rider to watch, and he has since earned an invitation to return this summer. This time, he will line up wearing the coveted number one bib, with high hopes of pushing onto the podium.
Away from competition, Ethan attends Eccleston C of E Primary School and continues to develop through structured training with Wrexham Cycling Club, alongside additional sessions with North Cheshire Clarion’s vital youth programme.
Leading by Example: Encouraging His Peers
Ethan’s commitment extends far beyond the bike. At school, he takes on a range of responsibilities, and those around him point to his attitude and willingness to support younger riders as key factors in his development.
“Ethan is very clear about his ambition. He wants to become a professional cyclist, and to say we’re proud of him would be an understatement,” said his father, Ioan.
“What makes us proudest is the way he supports younger riders and encourages his peers. At school, he serves on the school council, is part of the ethos committee, and acts as both a sports ambassador and a reading ambassador.”
Supporting the Journey
While the talent and drive are there, rising through the ranks of competitive cycling requires immense backing.
“Like many young athletes who are still growing, the equipment and travel costs can be significant,” Ioan added. “So we are always keen to hear from organisations that may wish to support his journey and be part of what we hope will be a very exciting period ahead.”
The Road Ahead
With ambitions firmly set on a professional career, the coming years could prove crucial for the young rider. For Wrexham’s cycling scene, Ethan’s rise offers an exciting glimpse of what is possible. As he prepares for another intense season across the UK and Europe, the focus now shifts to turning immense promise into podium finishes.
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