East Grinstead based TORQ-tuned cyclist Steven Price has enjoyed a double celebration in 2006 – the 35 year old has just won the London League Cyclo-Cross championship, finding out on the same day as his wife Jennie gave birth to their first child – Theo Paul was born on the first of February 2006.

The London League is a tough series of fifteen races over a range of off-road courses. Steven won twice and picked up a second place and two thirds, while becoming famed for a fighting style that meant his competitors could never rest easy.

On the first race of the season on September the 17th at Eastway, Steven had fought to the front of the field before suffering gear failure. Getting on his spare bike he chased to the front again by the last lap before a puncture dropped him to sixth. His efforts netted him the U.S.E. ‘Star of the Day’ prize. By the third race, at Lancing, he had chalked up his first victory and was rarely out of the top five for the rest of the season. He scored his second win at Brighton, and finished third at Deer’s Leap, East Grinstead.

Steven, of Frith Park East Grinstead, says ‘I am chuffed to bits’. Of the championship he added ‘I have never finished enough rounds in the past to have a shot at the title, so not only to finish 12 races but get two wins is fantastic – and a testament to all the early mornings spent in my neighbours garage on the turbo trainer.’

Coming in for honourable mention are Garry Ashton-Coulton of Dormansland, Steven’s team mate in the Agisko-Viner outfit and season long ‘lieutenant’, and Steve’s neighbours.

‘I’d like to thank my neighbours Dudley and Ann Saunders of 6 Frith Park for the use of the garage and Garry for driving and morale support,’ added Steven.

Next winter Steven will be out to defend his crown and hopefully collect even more silverware to make his new family proud.