A HEATON rider hopes his move to Horwich Cycling Club will pay off as he tries to reach the top of the sport.

Dan O’Halloran, aged 16, has a blossoming reputation in the North West after finishing second in the ACT Track league and Youth A category of the Knowsley Track League, and was also top of the podium in the Madison League.

The Bolton School pupil has come a long way since first appearing at a Revolution event at the Manchester Velodrome in November, 2011.

The 16-year-old started racing in the ACT Track League and made an impression.

Dad Paul said: “In his first season in the ACT League Dan finished 17th in the Youth B (under 14s) category. In 2013 Dan competed in the Youth A and finished sixth.”

He followed that up by finishing sixth in the elite category in the North West cyclo-cross series.

Paul added: “Dan has decided to join his local Horwich Cycling Club, as he is keen to develop his talents in road racing, mountain biking and cyclo-cross.

“Horwich are involved in all aspects of cycling. He chose them because they are local, and lots of Horwich members have supported him throughout the cyclo-cross season with tips and advice.

“He is now classed as a junior track rider (u18s) and has started the season very well.

“In his first appearance in the Horwich jersey, Dan won three out of four senior track events, the 12-lap scratch, the Course de Primes and the 50-lap points race.

“I think that his target for 2015 is to win the ACT Track and Madison Leagues and then also to compete at National Junior Track events.”