Add to My Favourites

British man who took up cycling to get in shape rides for Team GB at UCI Gran Fondo Championships

A 55-year-old man who took up cycling after being overweight is representing Great Britain in a cycling event next weekend

David Brewin from Stroud is heading off to Poland for the Cycling World Gran Fondo Championships where he will be competing as part of Team GB on Sunday, September 1.

David took up cycling to get in shape, but says it has now ‘become an addiction, “I started cycling towards the end of 2014 when after a long look in the mirror I was horrified to see the reflection of someone who was without doubt overweight,” he said “The mileage gradually went up as my weight started to come down” 

By 2015 David was a committed amateur cyclist and keen to take part in the Grand Fondo , “It’s for amateur cyclists although there are plenty of ex pro cyclists taking part,” he explained. “For the 2015 and 2016 events I qualified on both occasions, but couldn’t get to the finals as they were too far away.”

In 2017, the final was held in the south of France, close enough for David to take part. Hopeful of qualifying again, he began his training.

Devastatingly, a freak accident on a muddy road saw David break his leg.

Complications meant he had to have an external frame fitted to his leg, which was on for eight months.

“My muscles waisted away and walking was a struggle. It was a very tough time as I also lost my job because of the protracted rehabilitation period," he said, “The one thing that kept me focussed though was the thought of getting back on the bike, getting my fitness back and maybe, just maybe qualifying for that event again."

And that's just what he did, “The qualifier was a brutal race but I got through it and a week later I was invited to ride for Team Great Britain in the World Championships in Poznan, Poland on September 1," he said.

“It really has been a long journey to get to the start line of these amazing championships and it will be an absolute honour riding in my country’s colours."

“I would of course love to bring home the rainbow jersey of my age group, but to be honest just being part of it will be like winning, especially considering the journey to get to the start line.”

>> 2019 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Results from Poznan, Poland  <<

British man who took up cycling to get in shape rides for Team GB at UCI Gran Fondo Championships

 
Tag: ucigfws
 
Jun 29 2025 - NEWS: Bautista and Raimondi Take Victory at UCI Granfondo Suisse
Jun 15 2025 - NEWS: Cepak and Zanetti Claim Overall Victory at UCI Maraton Franja BTC City
Jun 09 2025 - NEWS: Petrova and Strugar fastest at UCI Gran Fondo Novi Sad in Serbia
Jun 05 2025 - NEWS: Estonians Tuisk and Tamm take victory at Tartu Rattaralli
May 25 2025 - NEWS: Belgians Heck and Clauw Dominate UCI Schleck Gran Fondo in Luxembourg
May 05 2025 - NEWS: Polish Cyclists Wisniewska and Szelag Dominate UCI Neusiedlersee Radmathon
Apr 26 2025 - NEWS: Fortin and Fillatreau Dominate at UCI 66 Degres Sud Cyclo
Apr 13 2025 - NEWS: Alton and Krainer Dominate at UCI Tour de Brisbane, Qualifying for World Championships
Apr 08 2025 - NEWS: Kovalchuk and Zakarin Dominate at the 10th Annual UCI Cyprus Granfondo
Mar 12 2025 - NEWS: Legendre and Van der Lijke Zijlaard fastest at UCI Millars Granfondo
Mar 02 2025 - NEWS: Granfondo Coimbra Region opens UCI European Granfondo season
Feb 25 2025 - NEWS: Thousands of cyclists ride 15th spinneys Dubai 92 cycle challenge in Dubai
Feb 01 2025 - NEWS: UCI Gran Fondo Jordan Dead Sea opens 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Series
Jan 15 2025 - NEWS: Qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo Worlds at the 2025 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Nov 28 2024 - NEWS: A Two-in-one Bike Racing Weekend In Villars, Switzerland
Sep 15 2016 - RESULTS: Record 5,500 riders at 6th Edition of Amys Gran Fondo
Sep 04 2016 - RESULTS: 17 new UCI Gran Fondo World Champions in Australia
Jun 06 2016 - RESULTS: 8,000 cyclists take part in the UK Tour of Cambridgeshire UCI Gran Fondo
Jul 06 2025 - EVENT: Granfondo Ezaro
Jul 26 2025 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Isle of Man
Aug 31 2025 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Matildica
Sep 06 2025 - EVENT: UCI Gran Fondo Hangzhou Qiandao Lake
Sep 07 2025 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Asociacion Espanola
Oct 05 2025 - EVENT: Granfondo Tre Valli Varesine
Oct 17 2025 - EVENT: 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Oct 19 2025 - EVENT: Amys Gran Fondo
Oct 19 2025 - EVENT: Amys Gravel Fondo
Nov 02 2025 - EVENT: UCi Gran Fondo Greece Loutraki
Nov 09 2025 - EVENT: UCI Granfondo Brazil
Nov 14 2025 - EVENT: UCI Gran Fondo Antalya
Dec 07 2025 - EVENT: Granfondo La Guadeloupe
Dec 12 2025 - EVENT: UCI GranFondo Hainan
May 24 2026 - EVENT: Tartu Rattaralli