YOUNG trials bikers from Craven have been taking on the world at a competition held in Belgium, the Czech Republic and Spain.

Chris Akrigg, 22, and Chris Wright, 16, qualified last year with only 18 others from Great Britain to take part in the international championships.

Although their final positions are not yet known because the competitions lasted over a number of weekends Chris Akrigg, from Skipton, believes he could be ranked seventh in the highest class.

Chris Wright, of Hellifield, who only took up the sport three years ago, thinks he could be placed in the top 15 of the cadet class, where the cyclists use narrower wheels and have to negotiate different obstacles.

Both boys said they had an excellent time at the championships and that it was great preparation for the final round of the British championships next month.

Chris Akrigg has high hopes of winning the title that he has held twice in previous years, but lost last year due to a number of injuries.

In the earlier rounds of the British championships, Chris Wright performed well and is currently running fourth but he still has the final Addingham Moorside race to improve his position.

The boys both work for Aire Valley Cycles in Keighley, which sponsors Chris Wright, while Chris Akrigg is sponsored by Pace Racing.

They both said they preferred the push bike to motorbike riding as they had the freedom to go out and practise when they liked because they did not need an adult to supervise them, and they did not have to pay for petrol.

Chris Akrigg added that the sport was becoming more and more popular with younger people, especially with places like Skipton Wheel Park opening up giving youngsters somewhere to meet and practise.

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