YORK St John University College student Peter Williams is hoping the roads of Helmsley can steer him to success at next week's World University Championships.

Williams, 19, has been selected in a six-strong British team for the 30km Time Trial and 150km Road Race in Belgium and believes his North Yorkshire training will prove ideal preparation in his bid for a medal.

The North-West senior elite champion has discovered Helmsley's hills since starting his physiotherapy course at St John's in September and, before flying out for the Antwerp event, he said: "The roads around here are good for training especially around Helmsley.

"It's quiet and there are a lot of rolling roads. There are enough hills to keep you going and it's quite varied.

"The course at St John's is also good and York is a nice city that is not too far from my old home near Preston or the Manchester Velodrome."

Williams gained selection for the World Championships because of his results and performances over the last year, having attained elite status, which is the highest category in the country.

He also finished third in the under-23 National Road Race series and receives funding from the Talented Athletic Scholarship, set up by the government to support highly-rated youngsters and ensure they continue practicing their Olympic sport while studying for higher-level qualifications.

Williams, originally from Preston, was nominated by the Association of British Cycling for the award and receives £1,000-a-year from the scheme.

St John's have also provided financial backing and his Southport-based team Kinesis UK supply race equipment.

Williams, who has been competing since the age of 15 and previously raced in Belgium, France, Holland and Ireland, will take part in the British University Championship later this year, but admitted he is unsure of what to expect in his first major student event next week.

He said: "I've not got a clue what the standard will be like but I've raced in Belgium before and it's always hard because it's probably their national sport."

Looking long-term, Williams has his sights set on 2012 and the London Olympics but, like many of the country's top cyclists, might need to venture abroad to fulfil his ambitions.

Sustaining a full-time existence as a cyclist is unrealistic in Britain and York Olympian Charly Wegelius now competes from an Italian base.

Williams added: "It would be great if there was a bigger professional scene in this country. There are a couple of teams in the country beginning to crop up but you still could not make a living from professional cycling here without doing another job.

"I would like to get a full-time contract somewhere when I've finished studying but I am glad I will have physiotherapy to fall back on."

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, March 18, 2006