A talented teenage motocross rider from Stroud has been given the ultimate boost ahead of the new 2016 season, after the world’s largest tyre manufacturer agreed to sponsor the rising star.

Bridgestone, which has an unerring eye for identifying the hottest prospects in the sport, has identified Harry Linton as an up and coming force to be reckoned with and has added the youngster to its stable of sponsored riders, all of whom were spotted early and went on to achieve significant successes.

Harry, aged 16, is quietly spoken but is expected to make a big noise in motocross, having won the 2014 Rookie Grand Slam in MCF and winning the senior class of the BSMA Clubman’s Series last year.

Bridgestone will be supplying Harry with a supply of its Battlecross tyres when he competes in the AMX class of the Bridgestone BSMA National Series on a KTM 250F.

Harry’s mum Tracey said that Bridgestone’s support was the ultimate confidence boost for her son, with the company synonymous with sponsoring some of the most talented riders in the UK, including Rob Yates, James Hanscomb and Morgan Evans.

“When Bridgestone were in touch with us we were excited, as we know what a great reputation the company has in motocross.

“Harry has done very well to date and has won most championships he has entered. He is very quick but a very quiet boy.

“He has been riding since the age of six. It all began on a quad bike and it has gone from there.”

Bridgestone’s sales and training development manager Mark Fereday spotted Harry at a number of rounds in 2015, where he consistently impressed.

“He is a very stylish, very smooth rider and we’ve been long standing admirers of his. We always look to back some of the brightest young stars in motocross as part of our commitment to the sport and we can’t wait to see Harry out on the track.

“We feel that our Battlecross tyres will compliment efforts out on circuits in the Bridgestone BSMA National Series.”

In addition to Harry’s sponsorship, Bridgestone recently announced that it will sponsor the newly named Bridgestone BSMA National Series in 2016, which will represent the perfect proving ground for the brightest young stars in the sport.

The agreement will represent Bridgestone’s third successive year of involvement with the category, formerly known as a BSMA Clubman’s Series, and ‘massive improvements’ are already planned.