COLCHESTER’S Chris Welham was in fine form at the British Masters Track Cycling Championships.

It was a poignant event for Welham, who was diagnosed with brain damage after being knocked off his bike while training, in 2018.

The British Masters event in Newport was his first major event since the accident and he was delighted to claim a sixth-place finish, in the pursuit race, along with finishing tenth in the time trial.

Welham, who won his first heat race at the World Masters Track Cycling Championships in Los Angeles in 2018, said: “I was really pleased with my performance.

“It felt great to be racing again.

“There had been many times since accident I thought I wouldn’t race again.

“It was exciting to be at the event and it was a great atmosphere.”

Welham entered two races at the British Masters Track Cycling Championships.

His event was the time trail but suffered a technical issue going into first corner and lost rhythm.

In a two-lap race, there is no room for error but by lap two, he got back on it and finished tenth.

In the pursuit race, Welham adopted the race plan he had used in training with his coach race itself.

Welham, who trains at the new Northern Gateway facility, held fourth for seven laps of eight.

He eventually finished sixth in his category, with just four seconds covering second to sixth place.

Welham will continue to train at the Olympic Velodrome and in Holland and is hoping for success, in 2023.

He is hoping to race in both the British Masters and possibly World Masters, next year.

He added: “I’d like to keep the momentum going from this into next year now.

“My aim next year will be to secure a podium place.”