A YOUNG cyclist was full of nerves as she went head to head against her mentor.

Meredith Gilbert’s task was made all the more challenging by the fact she was facing 14-time Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey.

Meredith, from Lewes, was one of just five riders selected to be part of the inaugural all-female Škoda DSI Cycling Academy.

Dame Sarah is the academy’s principal.

It aims to help keen young female cyclists from the age of 17 progress to an elite level.

Speaking ahead of the race, Meredith, 21-year-old said: “It’s been quite a journey on the bike for me so far this year.

“I took up cycling properly after a running injury and only had two weeks of cycling experience before the Academy trials day.

“It’s slightly scary but I’m looking forward to the National Time Trials Championship.

“It is my first big race and first ever time trial. It will be a steep learning exeprience, but I’m determined to enjoy it and give it everything I’ve got.”

On the day of the event Meredith was joined by fellow academy members Jazz Jones, Rebecca Richards and Morgan Newberry, to form the Storey Racing Red team.

The squad excelled themselves, finishing fifth in the Team Time Trial event and Meredith finished 25th overall in the individual event.

Dame Sarah, who collected her 36th world gold medal at the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in the Netherlands last month, also competed in the event and said she could not be more proud of her students.

She said: “Meredith has made huge strides during the course of our 2019 academy programme.

“The events we have participated in have helped to build a strong work ethic and resilience.

“Meredith has quickly adapted and coped very well with some very challenging days on the bike.

“She has continued to seek challenges and race opportunities including some gruelling triathlons which have further added to her race experience.

“I’m delighted to see the first year of the Škoda DSI Cycling Academy ending with a race opportunity as race days always bring out the best in a team and sharing that challenge of competition is a powerful experience.

“Not only did Meredith compete in the individual event at the National Closed Circuit Time Trial Championships but she will also had the opportunity to race in a team when she tackles the Team Time Trial event on the same day.”

Škoda started life as a bicycle company in 1895.

A spokesman said it started the academy because cycling has remained important as part of its heritage, prompting it to start the academy.

Meredith, who has now graduated from the academy, said: “Having the support of the Škoda Academy team made everything much more focused. It was incredibly helpful to see what everyone else does before a race including their warm-up and nutrition as they have a lot more experience than me.”

“I’m really pleased with how we worked together as a team. It’s such a perfect ending, all the Skoda Academy riders have known each other for a little while now but had not raced together. To finish the season all racing together as a team was the perfect ending.”