Hugo Robinson has admitted that his future in cycling lies in road racing.

Hugo Robinson has admitted that his future in cycling lies in road racing.

The talented 18-year-old star from Debenham, near Ipswich has a plethora of cyclo-cross titles to his name, including three national championship victories, as well as 12 Great Britain appearances.

He has always been a fighter, always been a battler.

But after his most exciting and toughest year in cyclo-cross, he is now feels it’s time for a change.

“I love cyclo-cross and have won practically everything I could have won in this country and now I am setting my sights on a professional road racing career.

“I believe this is where my future lies,” the teenager said.

Living and racing in Belgium last winter opened his eyes to the fact cyclo-cross may not be the way forward for him personally.

“It’s very much a Belgium sport,” Robinson admitted.

“It’s tough getting into a top cyclo-cross team. I’ve ridden in Belgium and they look after their own riders, it’s difficult for a young Brit to get a team place.

“I’m still going to race cyclo-cross this winter and try and win the National series here in the UK.

“But I’m 18 and need to think about my future. I feel road racing is where it lies, perhaps getting a Tour Series ride by this time next year, try then for a Tour of Britain place.

“And step by step, who knows?”

Road racing has become extremely popular in recent years, especially in the UK, with the likes of Mark Cavendish, Alex Dowsett and Sir Bradley Wiggins putting the sport on the map.

There are more teams around than ever before.

Criterium racing (or crit as it’s often known), is held on short courses around town centres and closed-off streets and areas.

It’s a form of road racing Robinson knows well – although he hasn’t ridden in the current Tour Series a stage of which takes place in Ipswich on June 14 – but hopes he could have a place on the Tour next year.

“The Tour Series is a good place to start,” Robinson said.

“That’s my plan, to hopefully get a ride in that and then look at bigger UK-based teams.

“I need to take things step by step.”

It’s been an adventurous year for the Debenham teenager, none more so than his cyclo-cross world championship debut in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this year.

“That was quite something,” he said.

“I haven’t experienced anything like it.

“In the lead-up to the race we had tornado warnings, followed by days of hot weather.

“But it was a great time and there was some great racing.”