GLUSBURN’S Cat Ferguson was always likely to shine at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich but winning two junior world titles in the space of 48 hours was beyond even her greatest expectations.

The 18-year-old from Glusburn, Skipton, has been winning British national titles and gold medals in the Youth Olympics since her early teens.

In 2023, she won the junior Tour of Flanders and took silver in the road race at the world championships in Glasgow. This season, she has won 12 races and her worst result is third.

Gold medals in the junior women’s time trial and road race in Zurich have now fuelled expectations of a promising career.

Flip comparisons with other dominant figures – the past world champion and Olympic gold medallist Nicole Cooke – are being made, but Ferguson is wary of getting carried away.

Speaking after the race, she said: “It’s important to remember that I’m still only 18.”

“I’ve been given a lot of advice recently that I should take it slow. It’s important to not rush things.”