Ex-Hull Thursday Groupama – FDJ pro Finlay Pickering to ride the Big J Sportive

Young Finlay Pickering (Groupama – FDJ) of Brough East Yorkshire who cut his teeth on the Hull Thursday time trial series, won his first big international stage race on Sunday 31st July 2022, the Tour Alsace in France, cementing his place by winning the queen stage to the summit of La Planche des Belles Filles.

Finlay proudly wears the Tour Alsace 2022 leaders jersey.

Rated as a higher UCI category race than the Tour of Britain, the Tour Alsace ran over 5 mountainous stages where Finlay struck out for the win in the final few kilometres of the third stage Vesoul – La Planche des Belles Filles (The Super Board of Beautiful Girls!).

Even more exiting for us is Finlay is planning a return trip to our shores to ride the Big J Sportive in support of Joel Wainman on the 21st August.  So if you want to rub shoulders and ride with one of the UK’s brightest and best up and coming professionals,  now’s your chance!

With a choice of distances of signposted and supported routes through the glorious East Yorkshire countryside,  it should be a great day out!

Further details and how to enter the Big J sportive can be found here – The Big J Sportive – The Entry Point

Finlay who now lives in France and rides for French team Groupama – FDJ,  started racing Hull Thursday’s time time league events as soon as he was allowed at the age of 12.   His father Simon was also a keen cyclist and was a team rider for a small sponsored East Yorkshire team in Finlay’s younger years. It was clear long before Finlay was allowed to race on the road that he had the determination and focus to make himself into a fine athlete.

Finlay at the age of 14 beat the best local riders winning Hull Thursday’s Hill Climb event of the 2017 TT series

With a level of commitment and support from his family matching Finlay’s drive to succeed,  he was soon moving through the ranks of the local and regional sponsored teams as he grew, gaining experience, skills and an impressive physiology highly suited to the endeavours of a stage racing GC contending professional cyclist.  Something he not only aspired to be,  but as his recent results prove,  now is.

Finlay receives congratulations for his impressive win of the 5 day stage race Le Tour Alsace 2022

Special Thanks

On behalf of Finlay and his family we would like to extend special thanks to a few specific individuals and those involved in the following for their time, expertise and other resources in helping and supporting Finlay on his journey so far.

Hull Thursday Road Club

Ed Neilson and Vive le Velo

Ian Bolton,  Rod Towart and Cliff Pratt Cycles

All at City Road Club Hull

Wold Top

Daren Smith

Fensham Howes

Groupama – FDJ

On a personal level it’s been a pleasure to be a small part and see your talent blossom through your determination, intelligence and drive Finlay.  No one can ever take those things from you.

Enjoy your journey!!!