JAMES Coleman promises that he is celebrating his second British Age Group Duathalon Championship medal in a row, even if he did forget to take his place on the podium last weekend.

The 29-year-old, from Westwood, won silver in the in the 25-29 age group at last year’s British Championships at Emberton Country Park last October and on Saturday, he followed up by battling his way to bronze in the 30-34 category with a time of 1:57:49.

2013 World Age Group champion Coleman had to grit his teeth to overcome illness and injury in Nottinghamshire but an error of judgement meant that he wasn’t able to bask in the glory he’d earned during the official prize-giving.

“One of the guys who was out in front had pulled up at the side but I must have gone past him without realising. I thought I’d finished fourth and forget to go on the podium,” said Coleman, who is sponsored by his employers, market research agency OnePoll, Saddleback cycling shop and running shoe manufacturers On running.

“I was chuffed because I really had to battle. I had a cold and shouldn’t really have raced and I tore my calf before Christmas, so my leg didn’t feel great.

“I messed up the first transition because I just couldn’t find my bike. Even the commentator said ‘get it together, Coleman’ but I had the third-fastest bike split of the day so I made up a lot of ground.

“I won the Dambuster duathlon a few weeks ago after deciding to race in it the day before - my girlfriend (Gabrielle) was off shopping with a friend, so I decided to just drive up to Rutland and I had zero expectations.

“I’m trying to have a more relaxed attitude. I’m going my first European Championships (in Alcobendas, Spain) on April 26 and I’ll be going in to that more relaxed too.

“Unfortunately my girlfriend can’t come out with me to Spain but my mum (Hilary) and dad (Roger) will be coming to watch, which is nice.”

Coleman will also race a Tour of Cambridgeshire UCI time trial time trial in June, attempting to qualify for the amateur world TT championships in Denmark in September.