ROOKIE rider Alex Wood is revelling in his introduction to motorbike racing.

The 13-year-old Shiptonthorpe racer made a confident debut in the Aprilia Superteen Challenge at Brands Hatch this month, with one podium finish from the four races.

As a first season rider in the series for 12 to 18-year-olds, where all the entrants compete on identical Aprilia RS125s, Wood qualifies for the Nitro Newcomers class.

The Newcomers class is a race within a race, with all the riders also scoring points towards the main championship, while also competing with fellow rookies.

With only two test sessions behind him, Wood produced some quick lap times on the test day before finishing tenth in his debut race and a superb sixth in the second race of the day.

On day two, technical problems meant he failed to finish the opening race, but he was fifth overall in the second race, earning him second spot on the podium among the Nitro Newcomers.

Step mum Sarah Tyssen said: “Alex went into the first race a complete novice. We refer to him as ‘the boy who’s come from nowhere’.

“He has never competed, raced or been involved in any sort of motorbike racing before, unlike the other riders in his field who’ve all competed in mini-moto championships and various other championships.

“Alex finished a respectable tenth in his first race and a fantastic sixth in the second race of the day.

“Alex went into the next day’s racing so determined. He knew what his challenges were and he knew who his biggest threat was.

“Race one didn’t go as planned as he suffered a technical problem two laps from the race finishing. Very disappointed and with his confidence knocked, he dusted himself back down and prepared for race two.

“Alex started 11th on the grid for race two. He got a good start and worked his way through the pack of riders. He battled the full 12 laps of the race and finished an amazing fifth, which gained him second position on the podium for the Nitro Newcomers.

“We were ecstatic, so proud of this 13-year-old schoolboy from Shiptonthorpe, who’s come from nowhere.”

The next race meeting is at Donington Park on April 11 and 12, while subsequent rounds will be held at Snetterton, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Rockingham and Anglesey, before the action returns to Donington and Cadwell.

Wood, who is backed by Jewson, Green Lane Depot, York, Paul Bedford at PB Maintenance, MOTUL and Transits Motorcycles, York, is currently sixth in the Nitro Newcomers class standings Anyone interested in sponsoring the teenager should phone Sarah Tyssen on 07704 334711 or his dad Nick Wood on 07935 755533.