MORE than 30 years after a back injury cut short Chris Wreghitt’s blossoming cycling career, the Powick ace is back in the saddle.

The 59-year-old rider won five successive British National Cyclo-cross Championships between 1978 and 1982 before being forced to retire two years later.

But after three decades away from competitive action Wreghitt has got the bit between his teeth again and set his sights on winning the UCI Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships in December.

“I was once at the top so you have to believe you have the ability to win otherwise I don’t think I would be on this journey,” Wreghitt said.

“A few people think I am a bit mad but sometimes in life you have to set yourself a target and believe you can achieve it.”

Wreghitt took up cycling at school when he did not make the rugby team.

It turned out to be a good decision as he won the British Cyclo-Cross Championships at his first attempt.

When he joined an Italian professional team his career looked set to flourish before crashing on the Tour de Romandie in 1984.

Wreghitt said it was “devastating” to call it a day at the age of 25.

“In cycling terms your late 20s is probably when you are at your peak so although I had quite a lot of success already I felt my best years were to come,” he said.

“I had all sorts of treatment on my back.

“But having an operation in the mid-80s on your back was considered quite dangerous so I made the decision not to do it.

“Now they would probably go ahead and operate with some reasonable hope of success.”

Despite the blow, Wreghitt went on to build two successful business, importing and exporting bike-related merchandise.

But he is now back cycling, running and doing work in the gym to get ready for the UCI Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships in Belgium.

Having also secured sponsorship from Planet X, Biemme and Lake Shoes, he will ride a special bike designed to ensure his back is kept in the optimum position.

“The winter season was a trial run to see how I was and then I have got the whole of this year to prepare for the championship,” Wreghitt added.

“It has been a bit of a shock to the system after 33 years away from racing but I feel I am making some progress now.”

Wreghitt, whose cycling team are called The Second Wind, has also decided to raise money for Ride for Charlie.

Charlie Craig was a young cyclist who died in his sleep at the age of 15.

Set up in his honour by his family, the charity aims to support young cyclists who are or would have been inspired by the teenager's love of off-road cycling.

“I have set a target of £5,000 to raise funds for the charity,” Wreghitt added.

“A few people have already supported me and hopefully this year we will have reached that target.”

To support Wreghitt’s fund-raising bid, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chriswreghitt-secondwind-rideforcharlie.