YORKSHIRE cyclist Scott Thwaites wants people to look at the positives surrounding the sport, rather than the negatives.

The 25-year-old, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, near Leeds, said: "It is really sad that these stories about doping always seem to be coming up.

"I hear about them but I don't read about them because I would rather people focus on the positives.

"Under the new regime at the UCI (world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale), cycling is a lot cleaner now than it used to be, and I don't like all this negativity.

"I am clean, and you just hope that other riders have the same mentality."

Thwaites, who rides for German team Bora-Argon 18 (formerly Team NetApp Endura) and is in his sixth year as a professional, reckons the best is yet to come from him.

The Commonwealth Games road race bronze medallist revealed: "It is different when you first turn professional as you don't just ride, come home, put your bike away and don't think about it until the following morning.

"There is so much more to being a professional, such as recovery, strength and conditioning and nutrition, and it takes you a long while to come to terms with that.

"It is the whole package – it is not just about riding a bike – and you are learning more and more about things and yourself every year. You start thinking outside the box."

One box that Thwaites hasn't ticked yet is a victory as a professional.

He has won British titles before, such as the under-23 mountain bike in 2009, under-23 road race champion in 2011 and open-age circuit race champion in 2012, but he added: "Those don't count in UCI terms.

"Cyclists reach their peak when they are 27, and are able to maintain that peak for several years after that.

"I have had three second places and some thirds and hope to nail that victory but you need an element of luck.

"For example, I have had a few crashes and a few mechanical problems, and you need those to go away to get that win."

Thwaites, who now lives in Alwoodley, Leeds, missed out on the Tour de France last year and will also be absent from this weekend's Tour of Yorkshire but is adopting a philosophical stance.

"He said: "It would have been nice to ride in the Tour de France last year, especially with it being in Leeds, but I wasn't strong enough.

"There is no point in suffering and struggling all the way to Paris. You want to be able to enjoy it as well, and my team aren't in the Tour de Yorkshire this year.

"I watched the first stage of the Tour de France with a few mates as it came past our doorstep in Burley, and watched the second stage on television.

"Hopefully I will be competing in the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana) in a few years' time when I have built up more strength and experience."