THE Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League is to supply three of the four riders for the Great Britain Junior team at the World Championships in the Czech Republic at the end of the month.
Matlock Cycling Club's Arthur Green, Will Gascoyne, from Wingerworth, and Josh Waters, from Stretton, all got the call this week and will ride alongside Yorkshire's Alfie Moses in GB colours in Tabor.
Before that, a week tomorrow, the local riders will also represent Britain at the final round of this season's World Cup series in Hoogerheide, in Holland.
In both cases, Derbyshire will also be represented by Draycott's established GB international Nikki Harris in the senior women's races.
For the junior (under-19) riders, it is both a significant step and will give them a great taste of how hectic life might be should they make it as professional cyclists.
In all three cases, the local riders have expressed surprise, as well as delight, at their selection.
Green debuted for GB in the last round of the World Cup but he was a disappointed ninth in the junior race at the British Championships at Abergavenny last week.
"My season had been going well until the nationals – then it went a lot wrong," said Green.
"I didn't think I'd get selected after that, so it was a bit of a surprise.
"It wasn't really my sort of course – not muddy enough – but I do think my form is still there and I think the international courses will play to my strengths.
"It's a bit special that three of us have been selected and then we have Nikki Harris as well – it's a great testament to the local league."
Gascoyne, suffering bike trouble, finished fifth at the nationals and also felt his chance had gone.
"Riding in the world champs is an incredible opportunity and after having a mechanical in the nationals, I'm am very grateful that British Cycling have given me chance to prove my potential in such a prestigious event," he said.
"The support from family and friends I have received in getting to this level has been unimaginable.
"I see this as a massive step in my development as an athlete and just hope I can make everyone proud."
Waters went to the last World Cup with Green. He finished third in the domestic National Trophy series and fourth at the nationals.
"I had a difficult couple of months leading up to the last World Cup in Belgium, with a virus affecting my performance and restricting my training," he said.
"It even prevented me from finishing one race after Christmas. Since then, though, I've had two hard national races and my basic speed has returned.
"I'm looking forward to competing against the best in the world again and benefiting from the experience.
"Hopefully, I can do it again next year, when I'll still be in the junior category."
Green and Gascoyne will concentrate on mountain biking after the cyclo-cross season – Gascoyne is on the Olympic development squad – but Waters is looking forward to road racing.
"As a junior, I will be in longer races on the road," he said.
"I think these will suit me and the strength gained in cyclo-cross will be a real benefit."
