Professional cyclist Mark Donovan, from Penruddock, finished fourth in the Tour of Britain at the end of a week in which he penned a contract extension with his team.
The 25-year-old former Keswick School student was edged off the final podium after a frantic final stage on Sunday.
Great Britain’s Stevie Williams was the overall race winner ahead of runner-up and fellow Brit, Oscar Onley. Mark finished fourth in the general classification, just four seconds behind third placed Tom Donnenwirth.
The one-time member of Penrith-based Beacon Wheelers is in his second season of elite competition with Swiss outfit Q36.5 Pro Cycling. The team confirmed last Wednesday that Mark had extended his contract to 2026.
He has already made his mark at the top level, securing a first professional victory last season at the Sibiu Tour in Romania. “I’m extremely happy to be staying with Q36.5 Pro Cycling for another two years,” said Mark during the Tour of Britain as the news was announced.
“It’s been the perfect environment for me and I’ve felt like I’ve really found my feet here over the past two seasons. I’m confident I can get stronger in the years to come and this is the right team for me to achieve that goal.
“I’m looking forward to the bigger and better things the team has planned, and excited to make another step forward.”
Read a full interview with Mark in next week’s Herald.
