Adam Kelly will shortly embark on his second year of cycle racing based in Belgium.

The 19-year-old from Quarter Bridge Road, Douglas joined an amateur set-up by the name of Prorace Urbano Cycling Team as a first year under-23/senior last February.

To begin with he found it quite a tough step up from the junior category, but as the season went on he found his feet and progressed, achieving eight top-20 finishes.

His best result was seventh in the Meldert-Hoegaarden kermesse in June.

He contested as many as 50 races in total, from one-day kermesses to inter-club races, one-day UCI events and multiple-day stage races. A couple of the races he rode were also contested by fellow Manxman Conor Davies, who was with the Baguet-Miba-Indulek derito Cycling Team over the same period.

Kelly is based in a small town by the name of Tielt-Winge.

Last year he shared a house with six other road racers riding for different Belgium teams - all English with the exception of one New Zealander.

’I’ve really enjoyed the experience of living in another country. I have found it to be a great life experience and I am looking forward to going back out to Belgium.’

Tosh Teare of Poortown, who recently signed for the Lotto - Soudal under-23 team, will be house-sharing with Kelly and four other riders this coming season.

Kelly is riding for the same team he raced with last year, now reformed under the new name of Urbano Cycling. It has grown to a squad of 26 riders, 23 being Belgian in addition to three British - including himself.

He headed out to a training camp earlier this week and will commence his new season of racing over the first weekend of March. Hopefully this will again continue through to the end of September or early October.

’With a long season of racing ahead, and feeling like I have worked well with my coach Andrew Roche over the winter, I am looking forward to getting started again,’ he said.

’In addition to what I learned last year, my aim is progress onto the podium at some events this coming season.’

He wishes to give a huge thank you to the James Berry Fund, Watts Up Performance and Kelly Blinds for supporting him throughout the 2019 season and making it all possible.

JOHN WATTERSON