article for british Cycling website


At the start of the cross season, Luke Gray (Hargroves Cycles) set himself the targets of National U23 champion and selection for the world championships. With both those boxes ticked the 18 year old travels to St-Wendel, Germany this weekend under no pressure. Gray has enjoyed a successful winter with several wins including the South of England title and 2nd place in the National Trophy series (U23), finishing 8th in the senior standings. Gray was forced to pull out of round 2 at Chantry Park, Ipswich, due to illness. Those lost points possibly cost him the U23 series crown. Speaking of his national title before he left for Germany, Gray said “I did what I set out to do, stay upright, avoid the crashes and win the National Title” It was his 4th Title, having already won the U14, U16 and Junior Crowns. “It’s just the senior title to win and I will have the full set” and you know he is not joking. As a first year senior these world championships are all about gaining experience so talk of medals is perhaps optimistic. Ask Luke about the future and there is talk of more GB representative honors, a professional contract and world titles. The drive, optimism and enthusiasm of the Hargroves Cycles rider are infectious.
Gray plans to take a short break after the world championships and spend the summer racing on the road in preparation for next winter. “I have applied for Dave Rayner funding as I plan on being based in Belgium for the Cyclo cross season”. The former GB XC Mountain biker has put his further education plans on hold, “So I am now a full time cyclist” Father Rob fully supports his ambitious son and is a regular fixture at all of Luke’s races working hard in the pits. With long time Sponsor, Peter Hargroves fully behind him, Gray could be equipped to go all the way