TOBYN HORTON has become the Channel Islands’ first professional rider and is determined to make an instant impression.

The Guernsey Commonwealth Games star (pictured) has signed for Team Sprocket ProCycling, who are managed by Wales-based Swede Magnus Backstedt, a stage winner in the 1998 Tour de France.

‘Magnus came over for the [Velo] Club dinner last year and while he was over I spoke to him and I have kept in contact with him since, sending him my results in the hope that something might come up,’ said the 23-year-old Sarnian.

‘A couple of weeks ago he contacted me and said something had become available, he had a space in the team, and we got it all sorted out over the last few days.

‘You have got to grasp these opportunities if they come up. There is going to be a lot to learn from the managers and people on the team to bring myself forward as a rider.’

Horton’s opportunities begin almost immediately, with his first race of the season taking place in France on Sunday.

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