From Friday Night Racing to National Trophy Glory? Jude White Heads to Derby in Winning Form
Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ rising cyclo-cross star Jude White will head to Derby for the opening round of the 2026/27 Lloyds National Cyclo-Cross Trophy Series this weekend, 17–18 October, buoyed by another impressive victory in the Shimano Lazer West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League.
Jude underlined his excellent early-season form at Princethorpe College on Sunday, taking a convincing victory in the Under-16 boys’ race at Round 6 of the West Midlands League.
Representing Mid Shropshire Wheelers, Jude completed the four-lap race in 27 minutes 9 seconds, finishing 33 seconds clear of Gabriel Cottrell of Gannets CC, with Jacob Lewis of Solihull CC taking third.
It was another demonstration of the speed, consistency and racecraft that have made Jude one of the outstanding young riders in the West Midlands this season.
From Friday nights in Shrewsbury to the national stage
For those who have followed Jude’s progress through the Mid Shropshire Wheelers Friday Night Cyclo-Cross Series, his emergence as a leading Under-16 rider will come as little surprise.
The Friday Night Series at Shrewsbury Sports Village has provided a valuable racing environment for young riders to develop their skills, confidence and competitive instincts. Jude has been one of the familiar faces progressing through those races, gaining experience on the same courses where so many of the club’s young riders have taken their first steps into competitive cyclo-cross.
That development has translated into an impressive series of performances in the West Midlands League.
After the opening five rounds, Jude led the Under-16 boys’ championship with 497 points from a possible 500, recording three victories and two second places. His Princethorpe success adds another win to that remarkable record.
At Baggeridge, Jude had finished runner-up to Rotor Race Team’s Isaac Vickery, demonstrating that the competition remains fierce. His return to the top step at Princethorpe could hardly have been better timed, coming just six days before the National Trophy opener.
Derby beckons
The National Trophy represents another step up in competition, bringing together many of Britain’s strongest young cyclo-cross riders.
For Jude, it is an opportunity to test himself against riders from across the country, building on the foundations laid through club racing, Friday Night events and the West Midlands League.
The Derby course has become a familiar fixture on the British cyclo-cross calendar, and with Jude arriving in such strong form, there is every reason for the Wheelers to follow his progress with excitement.
Whatever the result, Jude’s performances are already a tremendous advertisement for the value of grassroots racing and the opportunities available to young cyclists through Mid Shropshire Wheelers.
Following in the footsteps of the Mids
There is also a sense of history surrounding Jude’s trip to Derby.
Mid Shropshire Wheelers have a proud tradition of producing cyclo-cross riders capable of competing at national level, including Luke Grivell-Mellor and Jude’s older brother, Noah White.
Luke was part of a generation of Wheelers riders who regularly represented the club at National Trophy events, while Noah went on to establish himself among Britain’s leading young cyclo-cross competitors.
In the 2022/23 season, Noah finished second overall in the National Trophy Under-14 boys’ standings, representing Mid Shropshire Wheelers. His achievements provided another example of a young rider progressing from the club’s grassroots racing programme to national prominence.
Now Jude has the opportunity to write another chapter in that story.
For a club that invests so much volunteer time in providing opportunities for young cyclists, there can be few greater rewards than seeing riders progress from Friday night racing at Shrewsbury Sports Village to competing against the country’s best.
And with Mid Shropshire Wheelers preparing to host its own National Trophy round at Shrewsbury on 19–20 December, Jude’s progress provides another reason to look forward to an exciting winter of cyclo-cross.
From Friday nights under the lights in Shrewsbury to the National Trophy at Derby, Jude White is carrying the Wheelers’ colours onto the national stage. We wish him every success this weekend!
