Page 74 - Bugle Spring 2025

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ELITE LEVEL
CYCLING
After bursting onto the Army road cycling
scene in 2023 with rapid development, I was
invited to the Army Road Team selection camp.
Following a successful selection, I secured a
spot on the Army team for the 2024 season.
That began with a tough and
uncompromising winter training camp in
Spain, building fitness and refining race tactics
alongside the Army team. This was followed
by The Rifles Road Cycling Camp in Chepstow,
where I continued to develop skills and train
with some of the Army’s top riders.
My first race, the Infantry Road Race
Championships, resulted in a podium finish
overall and a Junior category victory. This
contributed to The Rifles retaining the best
Infantry road cycling unit title for the third
consecutive year. In March, I travelled to Cyprus
for a training camp and competed in the UCI
Gran Fondo, a really challenging 3-stage race
against an international field, including ex-Tour
de France riders.
As the season progressed, I achieved
significant victories, including back-to-back
criterium wins in Lichfield and Milton Keynes,
and a podium finish in Leicester. Representing
the Infantry in the Army Cycling Road Race
Series, I claimed a sprint victory in York and
74 RIFLES The Bugle
secured the overall Junior title.
Mid-season, I represented the Army at the
UK Armed Forces Inter-Services Road Race
and Criterium. Our teamwork secured victories
in both events, with a personal highlight of
finishing 4th in the criterium, my best result
against elite competition.
The season concluded with the Inter-Corp
Championship, capping a year defined by
teamwork, strategy, and consistent results.
These achievements were made possible by
The Rifles’ unwavering support and resources
and I am incredibly grateful to them for that –
thank you.
Regimental cycling fosters skill development,
camaraderie, and competitive spirit. I
encourage all cyclists, regardless of experience,
to join their regimental team and embrace the
challenge of representing their unit.
To cap the year the icing on the cake was
being named Infantry Sports Person of 2024!
LCpl Lewis Hale
To cap the year the icing on the
cake was being named Infantry
Sports Person of 2024!