A KEEN cyclist who discovered a talent for track sprinting later in life has claimed his third world championship title.

Adrian Dent, 53, from Richmond, was crowned world champion at the Union of Cyclists International World Masters Track Cycling Championships in Manchester last week after battling it out with riders who have been making a career in the sport for decades.

Mr Dent, a fireman, discovered his skill in the velodrome while on a taster session about seven years ago and decided to take it further.

He has since claimed four national titles, one European and three international titles and said he wishes he had started at a younger age.

“I do sprint events, time trials and team sprints,” he said.

“The events in the velodrome are similar to what Sir Chris Hoy is known for competing in, and the training required is very different to what is required for endurance cyclists like those taking part in the Tour de France.

“I won the 500 metre time trial, and I was also the first in a three-man team sprint team, in which we took the World Team Sprint Championship."

Mr Dent said although he enjoys cycling in the Yorkshire Dales, going for bike rides is not the best way for him to prepare for his events.

“I do a lot of weight training and am sponsored by Liberty Health Club in Richmond which really helps," he added.

“I’m also sponsored by local building company Indbuild Ltd.

“I train on the bike for about two hours at a time but I do short sessions in short bursts.

"Most of my training is done on what sprinters call a drag strip - a short piece of road where all-out maximum effort can be done to the point of exhaustion, and then long recovery periods are required before I do my next effort. "