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HAYDOCK cyclist Lauren Bate-Lowe is currently putting months of intense training into practice at the European Junior Championships in Italy where she is competing in the Team Sprint and Sprint events.

And the 16-year-old’s busy fortnight continues on 20 July when she heads to Switzerland for the Junior Worlds, which takes place from July 20-24.

It is Lauren’s first year as a junior and she will get another crack at the World Championships next year too if selected.

The Europeans will be Lauren’s second international event of the year after racing in meeting at Alkmaar Holland in January, where enjoyed a win in the Team Sprint and a top 5 in the Match Sprint.

The World Championships in have been Lauren and the team’s focus all year, with training rather than racing being the key, and she admits to using this week’s Euros as part of the preparation for Switzerland.

Lauren said: “This year’s build up has been very different from last year. They are two very different events and this year we have to continue our taper through Euros in preparation for the main competition which is Worlds.

“We have to be very clever in how we do this and basically do minimum events at euros to ensure we are reaching our peak form when we get to Worlds.”

It has not yet been decided yet which races Lauren will be doing at worlds but she goes into both championships in buoyant mood – and no matter what happens to experience of competing at this level will be invaluable moving forward .

“I think I’m feeling pretty confident, to be honest. I feel I’m ready and everything has gone well and to plan throughout the year to build me up to these two competitions.

“I think me and my team mates are in a really good position with our times and abilities to be medal competitive.

“Being my first European and world championships I don’t think I have a complete aim set in mind.

“I think a top 5 finish in my events would be what I want and would be happy with but most of all just the experience will be very valuable.”

This season Lauren has spent less time competing, but has increased her work in the gym, strengthening her back after struggling with an injury earlier in the year.

I don’t think I’ve worked on anything particular as a weakness but I’ve worked on everything in different blocks. “I’ve increased my gym load this year therefore increasing my strength although gym is one of my biggest strengths. “Although I have struggled with a back injury this year which has been a big aim in the gym to strengthen my back and to ensure we fix it now rather than when it’s too late,” she said.

Although the Worlds may be the competitive pinnacle, there will still be plenty of racing left in the season on her return from Europe and Lauren will be competing in the National Championships.

“I am aiming to get at least one National Championship win this year however the field of riders will be very strong and very competitive and it just depends how I will be form wise after competing for two weeks already.

“ I will then have a break before starting the new cycle of training,” she said.