A NORTH Yorkshire teenager has enjoyed a hat-trick of motorcycling success in recent weeks, writes Christy Romer.

Joe Thompson, 15, of Cliffe, near Selby, was the youngest person to win a place and compete in the Oliver’s Mount Road Racing Championship, Scarborough, finishing third against tough competition.

The youngster has been selected to ride in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Monte Blanco, Spain, on Tuesday, October 22.

Out of 2,500 applicants, Thompson is one of 50 that will be sent to compete in Spain.

Should he be successful there, he will be part of a group whittled down to 15 that will be officially sponsored by Red Bull.

Thompson said that being selected was “an absolute honour”.

“Competing in the Red Bull Rookies MotoGP will be the highlight of my life so far,” he said.

To complete his treble of success, Thompson recently achieved his first podium finish with the Thundersport GB Aprilia Superteens in a competition in Anglesey, Wales.

The Superteens – a championship for 12 to 18-year-olds – has been the launching pad for many successful young motorcyclists.

Thompson continues to race with his lucky number 74, hoping that it will bring him further success in coming competitions.