Birmingham 2022: The Bedfordshire competitors hoping to win gold at the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games are fast approaching and there is plenty of attention on the England squad given their status as hosts this summer. The 2022 games get underway at the end of July and Birmingham is getting ready to welcome 72 nations for two weeks of sporting action in the West Midlands, and slightly further afield.

For the seventh time since the inception of the Games in 1930, a UK city is hosting. Birmingham promises a jam-packed lineup, with new sports and disciplines added into the mix. Ahead of the competition getting underway later this week, we've taken a look at some of the individuals linked to Bedfordshire aiming for the top spot in this summer's events.

At just 21 years old, Ethan Vernon is one of the younger athletes representing England at this summer's 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Ethan, born in Bedford, has only been a professional cyclist since the start of the year but has represented his country at two senior events - the 2020 UEC European track champions in Plodiv, Bulgaria, and the 2021 UCI track cycling world championships in Roubaix, France.

This year's Commonwealth Games will be Ethan's second, but his first wearing the England jersey. Four years ago he was in Gold Coast representing Wales but has since switched to represent England.

Vernon began cycling as a toddler before moving to BMX racing at the age of four up until 15, at which point he made the transition to the road and track.

The youngster has emerged as a future star of British cycling with a silver medal in the 1km time trial at the 2020 European Championships, and a bronze in the Team Pursuit at the 2021 World Championships.

His fantastic performances saw him secure a Team GB selection for Tokyo 2020 where he placed 7th in the men’s