Ashton heads for Belgium – to aid pro cycling dream

Ashton, who has no financial backing other than her own savings, is moving to Belgium to race for the Wetterse Dakwerken-Autoglas Wetteren team with her first race, 50-kilometres, on Saturday 18 February.

Several years ago Ashton, a former Commonwealth Games badminton player, attempted to break through to the professional ranks in the racquet sport, but now she is focusing on life full-time in the saddle.

Ashton, who won the Jersey Even ing Post’s Bill Custard Award for her efforts in the Isle of Wight Games last summer, said: ‘This opportunity has come about through a friend and I’ve decided I want to give it a go.’