A WINDERMERE schoolboy has become the British BMX Champion following his victory in the British BMX Championships at Alvaston Park in Derby.

This year’s BMX Championships saw a record number of competitors, and the crowning of many new champions across the various disciplines and age groups, including Leon Parker, who raced to victory in the final of the ‘7 and Unders’ class.

Parker, who attends Windermere School, had to fight hard for his victory, particularly in the semi-final, where his track craft paid off in a nail-biting, final charge down the last straight to ensure a narrow victory.

The final was slightly more straightforward as Parker led from start to finish, and in the process earning a £20 prize for reaching the first corner ahead of the other competitors.

He said: "I’m really happy I won the final and standing on the podium to be presented with the trophy was brilliant. I hope I can carry on winning BMX events and maybe one day I can compete at the Olympics.”

The British Championships are the biggest event in the UK BMX calendar, with over 1,000 competitors in action across the weekend, including many British Cycling Academy athletes.

There are thirty-three different classes for the riders, starting with the ‘6 and Unders’ class.

Parker’s victory in the British BMX Championships comes on the back of an excellent sixth place in the European BMX Championships in Verona, Italy.

His mother Renate Parker said: “We’re absolutely thrilled for Leon. All his hard work has paid off, and being crowned British Champion is the icing on the cake. Both championships were tough, but Verona was particularly hard. Leon was at the track for twelve hours and it was so hot. But he stuck it out.”

He is also the current National BMX Champion, having travelled up and down the country competing in the National Series, in which he won eight out of his ten races.

Rachael Thomas, head of the Elleray Campus at Windermere School, added: “Pupils and staff have been keenly following Leon’s success and are thrilled that he has not only retained his National title, but is also the British BMX champion. We are always so proud of our students when they set themselves challenges and success on this kind of level."