RISING star Josh Sandman continued his path towards the professional peloton with a career best third place in the latest round of the British Cycling National Junior Series.

The 17-year-old, from Ross-on-Wye, is starting to make a name for himself and now rides for former professional Tour de France stage winner Magnus Bäckstedt's development team.

On Sunday, Sandman was one of the protagonists in the gruelling Scarborough Festival of Cycling, which consisted of 35 miles of a 4.2 miles circuit including a steep climb named Quarry Hill.

Midway through the event two riders escaped a strong peloton full of the country's best under-18 age category riders.

After joining an initial chase after them Sandman had to go alone in search of the leaders and fell just five seconds short of the duo, settling for third.