World Cup dream come true for teenage cyclist Lewis (16) from Brora
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A teenage cyclist from Brora will fly the flag for the North when he represents British Cycling at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
Lewis Duncan (16) from Brora, was selected by British Cycling after good form shown in the British series - and he will now go on to represent GB in the downhill World Cup at Fort William on Saturday May 21.
Lewis began cycling at the age of ten and has been a regular competitor at Scottish races each year. But his latest selection for British Cycling comes on the back of remarkable comeback from injury.
A broken collarbone suffered after his first Scottish downhill race at Glencoe last year sidelined him for most of the season. Despite this setback, he still finished second in Scottish downhill series in his category.
This year, fully recovered, he is competing in a new season and in a new category. Riding for GTviristeam, Lewis now finds himself competing against experienced World Cup level juniors who already have a season under their belt.
The target for the first round of the British series in Rheola, South Wales was to finish in the top ten. Lewis came seventh in his seeding run, and managed to take ninth place overall. Only a couple of seconds separated the four places ahead of him.
Proud dad George explains how Lewis found out he had been selected for the British Cycling team.
"With only 12 places available to race at the World Cup we waited patiently after the race to see if he would get in.
"Soon enough the email from Michael Vickers from British Cycling came through to say that he had made it in, and was a reserve to race the next round at Leogang in Austria, so fingers crossed he makes it into that one too.
"It will be great experience for him being able to race on a track he loves with some of his heroes, and in front of thousands of people. It will be a great memory to hold."
For Lewis, the chance to represent his country at a World Cup is a dream come true.
"It's been a dream of mine to race a World Cup since I started mountain biking, especially in Scotland.
"I'm very happy that British Cycling have given me this opportunity and are allowing me to wear the GB jersey because it means a lot to me. All of my hard work is paying off.
"If I manage to qualify to race on to the Sunday of the weekend I will be incredibly stoked, but if I don't qualify then I'll still be stoked.
"It's all about getting the experience just now."
The UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William is scheduled to take place on Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22.
