Mountain biker Charlie Aldridge has been nominated for one of the sport's most prestigious accolades after a season filled with medals. The 25-year-old from Perth is one of six riders on the shortlist for National Champion of the Year at the British Cycling Awards, presented by Lloyds, on 14 November. He is one of three off-road riders on the list, alongside Tracy Moseley and Jordan Williams.
European Championship Success
Aldridge won the cross-country and short track titles at the European Championship in Monteceneri, adding further medals at the World and National Championships. Reflecting on the season, he said: "It was a slow burner as the start of the season was fairly challenging. I still had some great results, but I had a lot of little things to figure out. Then once I got on top of that, the British Champs, Worlds, and especially the Euros all went amazingly. I was really happy after the Euros because the short track was my main goal for that race."
He added: "I just wanted to see how I would get on in the next Euros, and then to get both jerseys is fantastic. I stayed with the GB team instead of my trade team, and I really enjoyed that week. Part of the reason that the Euros was so special is I had a great time with the younger boys and girls. You don't spend that much time with them, and I had a great time."
World and National Championships
A month after the Euros, Aldridge headed to the World Championships in Val di Sole in Italy, clinching silver behind fellow countryman Tom Pidcock over the Olympic distance, and behind France's Adrien Boichis in the short track in a sprint finish. He also successfully defended his National titles across both distances in Dumfries and Galloway in July.
Aldridge said: "It's always a really hard race mentally as well as physically because there are so many people that I know there, and I don't want to mess it up in front of all my friends. All the boys turn up on their A game - it was a battle this year - but to win both jerseys is really cool. There is a really nice sense of community at British Champs and then it's not too far to get home afterwards. You can sleep in your own bed after the race."
He continued: "Growing up in Scotland, you get pretty good at riding in the mud and the wet, which is why I was so surprised that the weather was really nice at the British Champs. But it definitely gives me an edge in the muddy races in Europe when it's technical as well. I like to think I get a bit of a boost when it's tricky."
Off-Season Plans
The Scot plans to spend the off-season wind foiling in the Dominican Republic, and though he harbours a love of many sports, cycling remains his great passion. He said: "I just love mountain biking and going out and doing trails. The reason I go for it and do all the hard miles is for racing, and then when you win like that, that's when it really pays off. I love that feeling."
The British Cycling Awards presented by Lloyds celebrates inspiring individuals who have brought the joy of cycling to communities across the country, through their performance on the global stage, to their tireless work at grassroots level.
