Nicholson was recently awarded the Charles Alexander watch

Manx cyclist Chris Nicholson has signed for Belgium's Lotto-Prédictor - VC Ardennes team for the 2011 season.

The Liege based team is part of the Omega Pharma Lotto professional set up and could provide Nicholson with a pathway into the senior team.

The 18-year-old told the BBC: "I will move out to Liege in March, and I'm really looking forward to it."

The team competes in events on the under 23 UCI calendar, such as the Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23.

"It's is a great opportunity for me to prove myself in some of the best under 23 races in the world.

Nicholson will move to Belgium at the start of March

"I hope to progress into the Lotto-Bodysol team and then into the Omega Pharma Lotto professional cycling team."

Nicholson was recently awarded the Charles Alexander watch, presented to the most outstanding rider at the Manx Road Club in 2010.

"There is so much I want to achieve in the sport and the award is a real incentive to keep going."

The highlight on the young cyclists season was winning bronze in the National Junior Road Race back in May.

He followed up the achievement by claiming eighth place in the National Road Series and a brace of fifth places in the National Points and Scratch race at the British Track Champs in Newport.

Chairman of the Manx Road Club, Bill Ward said: "Chris is a very talented rider who has come through our ranks.

"He's had a fantastic year and the move to Belgium should prove to be a real springboard in his career."

The young cyclist added: "I would like to thank Isle of Man Sports Aid and everyone I have worked with there over the past three years, I am really grateful for their support."

Nicholson is currently looking for sponsorship for 2011.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version