A COLLEGE student is gearing up to achieve his dream of becoming a cyclocross world champion.
Oliver Akers took up cycling when he was just four years old, and he now trains and represents cyclocross team Ribble - where he trains for 25 hours a week.
Oliver, currently studying at the sixth form college, competes at an international level and has come first in many category races.
His greatest achievement to date is winning a World Cup round in Dublin, Ireland and wearing the GB kit on many occasions.
He said: “I didn’t decide to get into cycling, it came naturally when I was very young and I have continued ever since then.
“I am immensely proud that I have never been off the podium at the Koppenberg, which is an international race in Belgium, attracting more than 40,000 fans on a cold day in November.
“My main goal in sport is to become an elite cyclocross world champion, but before that happens I am looking forward to gaining as much experience as possible over the coming years.
“I’m looking forward to receiving a bursary from Barnsley College, as this will enable me to travel to more races and gain more, much needed experience.”
