Biking prodigy Matthew Langford is set to crash into the ranks of Europe's elite riders at an international competition next week.

And the Clayton hopeful is drawing on the experience of world trials champion and Silsden hero Dougie Lampkin in his bid to become the European Young Motorcycle Rider of the year in Spain.

Matthew, 17, took the British cycling scene by storm last month when he won the British Young Motorcycle title, at the first time of asking.

Not only was the Thornton Grammar pupil among the youngest in the field, but he had only passed his road motorcycle test in June and was competing against riders up to the age of 25 who had years of biking experience under their belt.

He heads off to Spain on Tuesday, the day before he is due to start back at school, excited but not overly confident about his chances of coming away with glory.

"From what I've heard I'm going to be the youngest rider there again so it's going to be tough," said Matthew.

"There's a five-mile trail ride which is good because that's my speciality but there is also a road race which is going to be tough because I've never ridden on the right hand side of the road before, as they do in Spain."

The challenge, though, is made up of more than a quick spin. Matthew has to find mechanical faults on a road bike, show his riding skills and accuracy on the road, show his skill around an obstacle course and complete a trials event.

The winner comes away with a Ducati motorcycle and to help him Matthew has drawn on meetings with Dougie Lampkin and closer to home his dad, Kim, who was also a trail bike rider and has appeared on coaching videos.

He said: "They've both been really helpful and so has the rest of my family. Hopefully, I can put everything they've given me to good use."

He added that one of the toughest aspects had been trying to balance school studies with practice, and with the final year of his GNVQ in Advanced Sciences about to start both are immensely demanding.

But one thing Matthew, of Delph Grove, is determined to do is enjoy himself: "It's my first time in the championships and I'm going to Valencia for them, so it's not too bad.

"I'm just going to go out there to enjoy it, give it my best shot and I may come back with a title."