RISING star Luke Hattersley returned home disappointed after crashing out early in his first continental cycle race in Belgium at the weekend.

RISING star Luke Hattersley returned home disappointed after crashing out early in his first continental cycle race in Belgium at the weekend.

The young St Ives CC rider was caught out by greasy road conditions, with his front wheel slipping on a bend, and breaking the front forks of his bike.

Hattersley was spotted by British Cycling’s Eastern Region Youth Development Program after he won two qualifying events at the Redbridge Omnium race back in August.

That success allowed him to move on to continental racing, which sees cyclists tackle a rolling seven-mile circuit, operating on closed roads with motorcycle outriders, and attracts the best developing talent from around Europe.

Hattersley returns to domestic cycling at the St Ives hill climb as the season draws to a close.