AFTER competing against the world’s elite cyclists 17-year-old Matthew Gibson came out top in a different kind of competition.

The Lymm cyclist picked up the Sportsperson Of The Year award to cap off a successful year which saw him clinch golds at the British National Junior and Youth Championships.

Overwhelmed by his win Matthew said: “I didn’t expect it at all but it is great to be recognised locally.”

The Lymm High School student scooped the men’s kilo title before collecting a second gold medal in the 3km individual pursuit at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester this August.

And his success there was even despite being one of the youngest comeptitiors in his age group.

Last month he took the step up to compete for Great Britain at the UCI Road World Championships in Florence.

“When I got back to school after the world championships I got a great reaction,” added Matthew. “I’m having a few easy weeks before I get back into training for next year.”

Matthew’s first tracks into cycling came three years ago because of his dad Paul’s keen interest in the sport, but now he admits he has no chance of keeping up with the promising teenager.