Sheffield rider shines on competitive debut as she races against Dame Sarah Storey

Sheffield Hallam University student Morgan Newberry competed against her cycling idol Dame Sarah Storey last weekend in a prestigious event in Yorkshire.

The 20-year-old went head-to-head at a professional level against her ŠKODA UK Cycling Academy mentor at last weekend's Yorkshire Para-Cycling International road race.

Dame Sarah Storey joins Donnons Des Elles au Velo J-1, Les Internationelles and the Sarah Storey Academy riders on stage 4 of the Tour de France from Reims - Nancy the day before the men complete the stage. | Charlie Forgham-Bailey 2019

placeholder image — Dame Sarah Storey joins Donnons Des Elles au Velo J-1, Les Internationelles and the Sarah Storey Academy riders on stage 4 of the Tour de France from Reims - Nancy the day before the men complete the stage. | Charlie Forgham-Bailey 2019

Morgan has the same disability as Dame Sarah and they competed in the C5 Paralympic category. The race was over 57km from Tadcaster to Harrogate and ran alongside the prestigious UCI Road World Championships.

Speaking after the race Morgan, who came a respectable third, said: “I was very happy with how I finished.

“It was a tough course.

"It was a good little margin between myself and Dame Sarah Storey, who came first, but it felt good on my first actual road race.

“It was a fantastic learning experience.

“It’s been an enormous honour to train and learn under Sarah’s tuition.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.”

Dame Sarah, who has won multiple gold medals at Paralympic Games, said: “Morgan is an exciting prospect and it has been incredible to work with her over the last few months.

“I have witnessed her progress and see her grow as an athlete, as well as an individual.”