JACOB Board, George Fowler and Rob Hogg of McKinlays 1st Chard Wheelers have been putting in some serious early season training to prepare for the 2014 racing calendar.

They have been clocking around 250-300 miles per week and it seems to be paying off already.

On Sunday the Mid-Devon CC 40 mile pursuit race saw Hogg take eighth, Fowler tenth and Board 11th against the best riders in the South- West plus several top visiting riders.

Hogg’s father, Sean, rode strongly and finished in the main bunch.

The second round of the MDCC pursuits takes place on Saturday on the edge of Dartmoor.

Both Fowler and Board have had a great start to racing in 2014 with a string of consistently high results. Hogg junior, in particular, has had a flying start to the year. Following a recent Kalas winter league win at Merryfield, he enjoyed an excellent night at the Newport velodrome in the Spring league.

A formidable head-to- head sprint in the final of the ‘eliminator’ saw Hogg charge to victory against a top sprinter from Wales.

He also took two seconds and a third on a high calibre evening.

Brandon Ellis has arranged two Saturday morning youth training/ coaching sessions at Merryfield, near Ilton, today (February 22) and March 1.

Any youth riders aged eight to 16 are welcome. Full details are available from Ellis on 01460-221479.