HAWORTH’S Jack Carthy thinks he may already be considered the greatest of all time in trials cycling but, remarkably, he still has even loftier ambitions.

The 25-year-old became World UCI Champion for the ninth time last month, but is determined to break the current record, which stands at 12 world titles.

He also wants to move properly into mountain bike racing, and subsequently win world titles in a completely different discipline.

Carthy told the Keighley News: “I won my ninth world title quite easily last month, so that’s in addition to my four World Cups, five European Championships and 14 British titles, though I don’t ride in the latter any more.

“I’ve got those nine world titles, but someone from an older generation racked up 12.

“The sport wasn’t at the level it is now back then, so those 12 world titles would probably be worth like two now.

“Many see me as the greatest of all time already, but if I can beat 12 titles, I’m officially the best.

“It’s all about finding new motivation for myself, as I’ve almost run out of things to go for.

“So, I like to play long term games with myself. One is beating those 12 world titles, the other is in mountain biking.

“I already ride a 26 inch mountain bike in my sport, but I’ve been working with Orange Bikes in Halifax and I want to move properly into mountain biking, alongside my trials stuff.

“I would like world titles in a complete other discipline like that, so that’s my next long term goal and project.”

Despite his mountain biking goals, Carthy is still passionate about trials racing, which he describes succinctly as “a mixture of obstacles I have to get through without falling off my bike”.

He said: “I always thought the peak age would be 26 or 27, but the sport has progressed so much, that you see some top riders that are around 37 or 38, and they’ve had tougher careers than I have.

“I’ve looked after myself, so I probably would like to keep going until I’m about 40.”

Asked if it was hard to comprehend how much he had won already by the age of 25, Carthy mused: “It is mind-blowing to win anyway, but I think the maddest thing is that I train in England.

“We only have natural facilities in this country, no purpose built ones like they have abroad.

“So in Spain for example, they’ll have 100 kids or so practicing the sport together, whereas I’m here training on my own.

“My dad and I have talked and we both think it’s mad how much I’ve won when I’ve come from nothing really.”

But there is one natural facility in the Bradford District that Carthy is very fond of.

He said: “Shipley Glen is the only place I go to properly train.

“There’s so many rocks and so much rough terrain that when I turn up to competitions, it makes everything feel easier.

“What I’ve been doing is more challenging and physical, in muddier and wetter conditions, than the other riders are used to.

“I’ve got some purpose built stuff in my garden, but really I’m looking for an acre or so of land to buy and build something on.

“The problem is people probably won’t like it (thinking it’s an eyesore), so it’s getting around that.”