Manx cyclist Matty Bostock has been left rueing the suspension of the cycling season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A stellar 2019 campaign saw him win the British National Circuit series and finish second in the under-23 class at the British National Road Race Championships in Norwich.

He picked up a top-10 finish in the senior class along the way.

Riding for Canyon dhb p/b Soreen (formerly Bloor Homes) for a second season, Bocky carried that impressive form into 2020 and claimed an excellent third-place finish in the Dorpenomloop Rucphen one-day race in the Netherlands early last month.

’It was a really good result for myself and the team as we were second and third, although slightly frustrating not to get the win between us, but I was delighted to get a UCI podium in my first race of the season,’ explained Bocky.

’I worked really hard in the Isle of Man for three weeks or so before the race and had a near-perfect block of training.

’It was actually a bit of a relief to get the result as I felt I was the strongest I’ve ever been, especially for the first race of the season, so to get a result to show for it really gives you the confidence that the work you’re putting in is worth it.

’I was excited for the races to come as I felt I could only get better from there. I was meant to be racing most weekends across Europe, with the aim to keep the ball rolling by getting more top results - aiming towards my first main goal of the year which was the Tour of Yorkshire (which was scheduled for the start of May).

’I had a lot of success last year but mostly in criterium racing so I’d aimed for more road race wins this year and felt I was right on track to achieve that.’

Unfortunately for Bostock, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has put a halt to all that, with virtually all sport being shut down around the world as governments attempt to stem the spread of the disease which has now infected approximately two million people and caused more than 120,000 deaths globally.

’I’m in Manchester for the foreseeable future (where I spend most of my time while I’m racing throughout the year) as the island has now shut its borders,’ explained the 22-year-old.

’I’ll continue to train here and try and keep sight of the bigger picture and continue working towards whatever races may take place later in the year.

’Although I’ve only had the chance to race once so far, it has given me loads of confidence that I can keep improving on what was a real stand-out 2019.

’I’d like to say that it could have been a really stressful time financially, being shut off from the island away from home, but thanks to RL360 and Isle of Man Sport Aid, they’ve taken that stress away and given me the support to carry on focusing on my cycling career throughout this difficult period.’

Riding for Canyon dhb p/b Soreen (formerly Bloor Homes) for a second season, Bocky carried that impressive form into 2020 and claimed an excellent third-place finish in the Dorpenomloop Rucphen one-day race in the Netherlands early last month.

’It was a really good result for myself and the team as we were second and third, although slightly frustrating not to get the win between us, but I was delighted to get a UCI podium in my first race of the season,’ explained Bocky.

’I worked really hard in the Isle of Man for three weeks or so before the race and had a near-perfect block of training.

’It was actually a bit of a relief to get the result as I felt I was the strongest I’ve ever been, especially for the first race of the season, so to get a result to show for it really gives you the confidence that the work you’re putting in is worth it.

’I was excited for the races to come as I felt I could only get better from there. I was meant to be racing most weekends across Europe, with the aim to keep the ball rolling by getting more top results - aiming towards my first main goal of the year which was the Tour of Yorkshire (which was scheduled for the start of May).

’I had a lot of success last year but mostly in criterium racing so I’d aimed for more road race wins this year and felt I was right on track to achieve that.’

Unfortunately for Bostock, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has put a halt to all that, with virtually all sport being shut down around the world as governments attempt to stem the spread of the disease which has now infected approximately two million people and caused more than 120,000 deaths globally.

’I’m in Manchester for the foreseeable future (where I spend most of my time while I’m racing throughout the year) as the island has now shut its borders,’ explained the 22-year-old.

’I’ll continue to train here and try and keep sight of the bigger picture and continue working towards whatever races may take place later in the year.

’Although I’ve only had the chance to race once so far, it has given me loads of confidence that I can keep improving on what was a real stand-out 2019.

’I’d like to say that it could have been a really stressful time financially, being shut off from the island away from home, but thanks to RL360 and Isle of Man Sport Aid, they’ve taken that stress away and given me the support to carry on focusing on my cycling career throughout this difficult period.’