A TALENTED teenage motocross rider from Stroud is celebrating a prestigious double title triumph, with months of hard work away from the track finally reaping rewards.
Harry Linton,16, picked up the BSMA Bridgestone series and Phoenix Tools premier MX championship, to cement his name as a genuine star of the sport.
The SGS College student, who secured a sponsorship with the world’s largest tyre manufacturer Bridgestone at the start of the year, embarked on a rigorous training programme months in readiness for the season, knowing that improved strength was imperative in order to succeed.
Harry duly won the BSMA Bridgestone series after a titanic battle with Lee Truman, clinching the title with a superb ride from last to second in the deep mud at Penybont. And he also scooped the Phoenix Tools premier MX championship as well, to prove that all of those miles on the treadmill were well worth the effort.
“Harry’s success can probably be traced back to his winter training. He had a programme to stick to and was committed in the gym for a long time,” said mum Tracey.
“Because he went up into adult racing, he knew he had to get himself really fit. We’re very proud of Harry. He’s gained in confidence as well as strength and we have some wonderful memories from some amazing races.”
Bridgestone, which has an unerring eye for identifying the hottest prospects in the sport, identified Harry as an up and coming force to be reckoned with and added the youngster to its stable of sponsored riders, all of whom were spotted early and went on to achieve significant successes.
The teenager is no stranger to success either, having won the 2014 Rookie Grand Slam in MCF and winning the senior class of the BSMA Clubman’s Series in 2015.
Bridgestone supplied Harry with a supply of its Battlecross tyres and was delighted to see him make so many huge strides in such a short space of time.
Bridgestone’s sales and training development manager Mark Fereday said: “It has been a season to remember for Harry and we are thrilled for him. There isn’t a lad who works harder away from the track than Harry, so he deserves all the success in the world.
“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 and Harry is certainly one of those.”
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