KEIGHLEY'S aspiring triathlete James Lund, whose ambitions are to turn professional and compete in the Olympic Games, is hoping to receive extended backing from Skipton-based Riders Cycle Centre.

They have been supporting the 17-year-old from Exley Head for two years but want to offer the Yorkshire Triathlon Academy member even more assistance.

Cycle Centre manager Stuart Rider explained: "Sponsorship and support has been something I have always wanted to be able to provide for local athletes, and I believe I have come across a real star for the future.

"Jimmy attends Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton and is now in his third season with the Yorkshire Triathlon Academy, and his dedication and results have secured another year with them.

"He is a renowned runner and swimmer, with many local, regional and international successes, and at the beginning of 2015, Riders Cycle Centre was approached by Jimmy and asked if we could assist in coaching him at cycling.

"Jimmy's hard work and coaching has helped him turn around what was his weakest discipline, and regular training sessions with us and miles on the road have been a great success.

"We have provided Jimmy with a smart trainer and a monthly subscription to online training tool Zwift."

However, with a gofundme page now set up on the web, it is hoped to raise £2,000 to give James even better equipment.

Stuart added: "With your generous support, I hope to upgrade our smart turbo to a trainer suitable to Jimmy's improved fitness.

"A small donation can go a long way for Jimmy and his supportive family, and he is a credit to everyone who knows him. The current trainer will be donated to Jimmy."

Lund said: "Since having the smart turbo trainer and Zwift, my training has rapidly improved.

"Things like my FTP (functional threshold power) test has improved every other week, and also it has developed my muscular endurance to tolerate higher levels of training."

Riders Cycle Centre will also continue with their weekly coaching and training sessions, both indoor and out, with Lund throughout 2017.

Among last year's highlights for the teenager, who trains five times a week, including getting up at 4.30am two days a week for swimming sessions, were being selected for Yorkshire in the London Virgin Mini Marathon, running for England in the Czech Republic and winning the Northern Schools' Cross-Country Championships.

Lund, who also trains on the track with John Dennis at University Academy Keighley, was also 11th in the English Summer Nationals, tenth at a British Aquathlon in Leeds (swimming and running) and 16th at a British Duathlon (running and cycling) in Windsor.

The link to help James is at www.gofundme.com/Jimmylund.

*Lund set three City of Bradford club records on his way to two fourth places in the Yorkshire Swimming Association Championships.

He broke the 17-18 years' mark in the 200 metres breaststroke and both the 17-18 years and open bests in the 400m individual medley.

The Keighley teenager is part of the Bradford Aquatics Competition programme under the guidance of coaches Andy Pearce and Sarah Fisher.