Blythe seals season in South Africa

Following his recent move to South Africa in September, U23 rider Adam Blythe is wrapping up his season and returning to the UK for a well earned rest in late November.

Success in Belgium since late February 2008 brought international interest; in mid September Blythe travelled to South Africa on a stagaire contract with the well-established Konica Minolta Team based near Johannesburg. The team have recently completed the UCI ranked Tour of Hong Kong - Shanghai stage race where Blythe won two stages had 3 other podium finishes and held the overall jersey in a week that saw him riding as support to team leader and eventual overall winner Christophe Van Heerden – one of South Africa’s best riders.

Despite riding no U23 category races in 2008, Blythe has met with considerable success for a first year senior in both the hard school of Belgian Open Elite and U27 racing, and UCI ranked events. Blythe has benefited from a solid backbone to his progress this year, lodging with ex British Pro Tim Harris, a regular place with the Belgian Des Sprinters Malderen team, support from Cycling Time Trials and essential equipment supplied by Phil Griffiths through his UK based company “Yellow”,

25 top ten results including 6 wins, 7 second and 2 third places have been achieved in a combination of Stage, Classic and Kermesse races proving him to be a very capable all round roadman in any company.

Blythe is expected to return to Europe in January to prepare for the 2009 season with top Belgium based squad 'Davo' who have an excellent mix of high quality racing and development opportunities already in place. On going successful performances have meant that Blythe still has keen interest from others that might yet see him in action in either UCI Africa or Europa Continental Tours subject to options he has yet to fully consider.