YOUNG cyclists have pedalled their way to medal success.
Sporting students from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science collected a host of awards after wining through to the finals of The Tees Valley School Games.
Bike enthusiasts Ben Bainbridge, Ellis Austin, Nathan Newton and Carl Younghusband finished in second place overall, against schools from Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, after winning a hard fought heat against competition from five other Darlington schools.
School sports co-ordinator Michael Hillary said: “The team took part in the Darlington schools games cycling competition in June.
Both Ben and Ellis finished first in their heats giving them a great start with the other boys coming in second and fourth place in their rounds.
“Then as a team they went on to win the cross country relay which put then in first place overall and into the finals to represent Darlington in The Tees Valley Games.
“We have cycling lessons at DSMS with the British Cycling Association for a least a term each year to offer our pupils new and different activities within the PE curriculum.
“A lot of our students have bikes but don’t ride competitively so the achievement of our team to win the town competition and finish second across the whole of the Tees Valley is down to exceptional talent.”
The Tees Valley School Games is a Sport England funded competition between the five Tees Valley authorities competing across various sports and activities.
The cycling final took place at Lawrence Jackson School, Guisborough, where the home team took overall first place.
Ellis Austin, 13, of Darlington, who took second place in the ‘A’ race heat of the Tees Valley final, said: “I’ve been riding a bike since I was five-years old but am not part of a cycling club.
“I do a lot of sports outside of school including boxing, rugby and jogging so cycling is another way of helping to keep me fit.
“I was really pleased when we came second in the final. The team that won have their own cycling club and train three times a week.
“Ben and I do get a bit competitive with each other when we ride but that just helps to push each other on even more.”
Carl Younghusband, 13, was placed first in the B race heat with Ben Bainbridge, taking fourth place in the A race heat. Nathan Newton, 13, failed to finish after falling from his bike.
“Ben, 13, added: “Cycling is something I’ve always done and really enjoy. We were all really proud to represent Darlington in the finals and get a medal each.
