COULD a teenager from Appleton be among the next batch of successful British cyclists?

There may be a long way to go before he is following in the footsteps of Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, but Sebastian Grindley has made a pretty good start.

The 13-year-old, who rides for the Warrington-based North Cheshire Clarion Cycling Club, was crowned national cyclocross champion in his under 14s age group at the weekend.

He becomes the club’s first ever national champion and upon hearing the news, Giles Perkins – one of their founder members – could not be more thrilled.

He tweeted: “Ten years ago I set up an inclusive cycling club – today one of its juniors is a national champion! This is absolutely ace!!”

After a dominant season in which he won five of his six National Trophy League races, Seb was a clear favourite to claim the “winner takes all” event in Shrewsbury.

However, in an event held on a mixture of surfaces designed to test bike handling skills to the limit, he ensure the tag of favourite did not go to his head.

Grindley controlled the race from the off, riding away from the field on a challenging course.

In the end, he finished 39 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger – a marker of just how dominant he was.

“Seb is a true ambassador for our club and a wonderful role model for his fellow club mates,” North Cheshire Clarion coach Chris Jones said.

“The manner in which he won and accepted his national title was exemplary.

“It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting champion.”

Seb was joined by six of his Clarion clubmates at the championships – Joe Watkins-Wilson, John White and Gabby Scott lined up alongside him in the under 14s race while Ethan Grimshaw, Raphael Tabiner and Hannah McClory competed at under 16s level.

The club’s juniors will be in action once again this weekend in the final north west regional cyclocross race in Salford, with riders from under 8s to under 16s set to compete.

North Cheshire Clarion holds weekly coaching sessions for children from the age of six to 16. Structured sessions are led by the club’s British Cycling accredited coaches and focus on bike-handling, core cycling skills and group riding techniques in a fun and safe environment.

More information about the club and its junior section can be found out by visiting their website – www.northcheshireclarion.co.uk/ncc_juniors