SAVILLS has announced its sponsorship of Gloucestershire-based 2016 Olympic Games cycling hopeful James Lowsley-Williams.

Born in Oxford and living in Chavenage near Tetbury, James is a 22 year old cyclist who began his professional career in 2008.

Since that time he has trained at the Newport Velodrome and on British cycling road races around the country.

In February of this year James joined the NFTO Pro Cycling team. NFTO stands for Not for the Ordinary, an outdoor clothing brand developed in the heart of Hereford.

The cycling team was formed three years ago with the vision of developing young talent in the area.

After securing a string of racing victories in 2013, NFTO Pro Cycling have gained professional status for the 2014 season by becoming the newest UCI (International Cycling Union) Continental team, bringing James one step closer toward his ambition.

James said: “Sport is my life and from an early age I’ve been an active sportsman. At the age of two and a half I learned to ride a bike without training wheels, an achievement that suggested my eventual love and full-time commitment to professional cycling.

“My goal is to be an Olympic Gold medallist for the British Cycling team at Rio in 2016. After that, I hope to win the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France.

“I know I am setting my sights high, but that’s the way it works. Between now and then there will be a lot of work, sacrifice and focus. But it’s all worth it.”

Andrew Main, head of regional business development at Savills said: “The UK is one of the best countries in the world for cycling and it is important that a new generation of young athletes are given every opportunity to help maintain and build upon that coveted reputation.

“James is one of the up and coming prospects in British cycling and thanks to his talent, drive and passion, he has a very strong shot at becoming part of the British Cycling Team. As such, we’re delighted to play our part in helping a local sportsman realise his ambitions to take gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.”