A YOUNG motocross rider from York is hoping to compete in his first national series next year after finishing third in the MX Master Kids event.

Ten-year-old Bradley Johnstone achieved a podium finish in his first appearance at the UK's biggest motocross event for aspiring young riders, which was held at Motoland UK in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

The event took place over the recent Bank Holiday weekend and pitched riders against other youngsters in various classifications, including 65cc for juniors and 125cc for 13-17-year-olds.

Bradley went up against 119 other juniors in the 65cc bracket and qualified in the middle, group B class.

The aspiring rider then came up against 39 others in the same class, racing six times.

Bradley recorded five 'hole-shots' from his six starts, while also earning three podium finishes, including first place in his second race. Top ten finishes followed in his other races as he clinched third place overall.

His father Paul said: "It's absolutely brilliant – it's what all the training and hard work was for."

Bradley began motocross at the age of six, and races at Monckton Motocross Track in North Newbald.

The youngster now hopes to compete at the British Youth Nationals in 2018 – at the biggest youth motocross championships in the UK.

Paul continued: "There will be 40 riders in Bradley's classification and I'm confident he could achieve a top-20 finish. That would be fantastic."

Dove Timber York and North Yorks MX Compound have supported Bradley's progression as a rider. To find out more about sponsoring the youngster for the British Nationals Series next year, please email: pjf07958@gmail.com.