James Kavanagh, who is the youngest member of the Lakeland Cycle Club was celebrating success in the National and Ulster series of Cyclo-cross racing.

Seven-year-old James competes in Cyclo-cross racing, which is one of the only competitive cycling disciplines available to children of his age.

He has a great love for the sport, cycling his bike from a young age and always practising his bike handling skills.

It is a winter sport involving competitors riding laps of a mixed surface tracks such as grass, dirt, gravel, woodland and sometimes sand on specialized Cyclo-cross bikes. This was James’ second cyclo-cross season to compete in.

Support

Diligently supported by his family, and coached by his father Mark, who is also a Lakeland CC club member, James battled it out over the winter, in the Boys Under 8 category.

James competed in the Ulster League across the province, from Derry, Belfast, Cavan, Armagh and finally the Ulster Championship held near Lurgan, finishing second in the League and second in the Championships.

James also undertook the National League travelling to Clonmel and Thurles in Tipperary, Westport, Dublin, Belfast, Dundalk to name just a few where he took first place in his Under 8 age category.

James joked: “We learned the song ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ as we had to go twice.”

The penultimate event of the season was the National Championships held in Limerick where James brought home silver for the Lakeland Cycle Club who are extremely proud of his achievements.

James has really enjoyed the season and is very thankful to the Lakeland Cycle Club for their support, Lakeland Bikes, Raymond Pauley for his much support, advice and encouragement and of course last-minute bike repairs.

Also to Mrs. King, James’s teacher in St. Mary’s Primary School, Maguiresbridge who was so supportive and her weekly words of encouragement were great.

Speaking about his successful season, James said: “I really enjoy the fun and excitement going to all the races especially when my grannies and granddads and cousins can go too and watch.”

On Saturday January27 , James and his family were invited up to Kelly’s Inn, Ballygawley, for a special prize-giving ceremony, for all the overall winners of the Ulster Cyclo-cross Series.