Teenage star in title joy

CYCLO KING: Matthew Walls has claimed nine wins from 10 races in the North-West Championship.

OLDHAM cyclist Matthew Walls will be crowned cyclo-cross under-14s champion next month after a superb run of form for Velocity.

Following 10 North-West meetings, the 13-year-old has built up an unassailable lead and will officially take the title at the final event on January 15.

Walls has won all but one event this term, the highlight of which was undoubtedly on his team’s home course in October when he crashed out in the first lap, only to claw his way back to the front of the field.

And the High Crompton lad is keeping himself busy between Cyclo-cross duties.

Walls secured a third-place finish in the Northern England Championships’ under-14s category despite battling against sleet and snow throughout the event.

He had to contend with heavy conditions on a course which featured several slippery climbs.

Proud dad Larry said: “It really was a battle against the elements as well as the other riders.

“This was definitely one of Matthew’s best races of the season, considering the bad weather belted down on the riders’ faces for the whole race.”

Next up for Walls is the National Championships in Ipswich on January 7.