Fry feels at home in new Pedal Heaven surroundings

The Potters Bar talent completed his switch to the Fleet-based outfit last month following an impressive junior career with RST Racing.

Determined to help his new team make an impression following their elevation to UCI Continental status, Fry has got stuck into his work.

He is currently enjoying a training camp in Alcaucin, Malaga, where he celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday.

And the former Welwyn Wheelers ace is relishing every moment with his new team-mates.

Fry, who looks ahead to the Perfs Pedal with The News online and in print tomorrow, said: ‘It has been really good so far and I have settled easily.

‘I met Tim Elverson (Pedal Heaven directeur sportif) a few months ago now and straight away I had one of those feelings that this was right for me.

‘Everything is really well set up, Tim knows what he is talking about and everyone has been really welcoming.

‘I feel I have already progressed so well because of them and I couldn’t be happier right now.

‘All the bike fits, testing, clothes fitting – everything feels really smoothly run.

‘Along with the training camps, it has been really well organised.

‘It does have that professional feeling about it, which is perfect and makes being a rider for the team that little bit easier.’

Fry’s manager at RST Racing was Chris Walker, the former professional cyclist and 1991 Milk Race (Tour of Britain) winner.

Walker put in a good word for the teenager at Pedal Heaven, where another familiar face has helped make the transition go smoothly.

‘I know Harrison Jones from junior racing,’ said Fry, who finished 10th in the junior Paris-Roubaix last season.

‘I am good friends with him and we have been out to Belgium racing a few times, so that has helped.

‘Harrison spoke to Tim, as did Chris, before my move and fortunately he has given me a chance.’

The countdown to the 2016 road race season is firmly on, with the Portsmouth-based Perfs Pedal the traditional curtain-raiser on the domestic calendar.

Fry will make his debut for Pedal Heaven in that 46-mile battle on Sunday, February 14.

He returns to England just three days earlier, when he will meet up with the rest of the team who have been at home or on camp in Calpe, Costa Blanca.

Fry, who has been in Alcaucin, said: ‘It wasn’t a bad place to celebrate my birthday, I guess!

‘The camp has been really good. We have been pretty lucky with the weather – it has only rained on one day.’

Don’t miss The News tomorrow – online and in print – for Fry’s thoughts on the 2016 Perfs Pedal and his Pedal Heaven debut.