RACE-ACE cousins from Great Sutton mixed with their heroes as they set a hot pace at the British Supercross Championships in Liverpool.
Rhys Goodhall, nine, and seven-year-old Ellis Jones rubbed shoulders with the supercross elite at a thrilling final round of the British competition on Saturday.
And Rhys rallied toward a podium finish in front of thousands of race fans.
Fresh from competing in a supercross competition at the O2 Arena in London, the motocross enthusiast progressed through the qualifying stages of the Echo Arena event to finish third in the nine-11 age range.
“He got on the podium and was interviewed by the TV people,” said dad Paul Goodhall. “I was really proud to watch him in the Echo Arena, in those surroundings, and he tried really hard.
“He actually had a bad start and had to push hard to finish third. He had a big grin like a Cheshire cat at the end of the race. To get interviewed by the television and have his picture taken on the podium – he was really excited.”
The Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School pupil is also a keen boxer and a member of Vauxhall ABC, while taking part in Rob Paul’s circuit training
Rhys, who took up riding as a three-year-old, will next be in action at the Red Bull Pro Nationals, where he will be up against some of the top racers in the country for his age group.
Meanwhile, Rhys’ cousin Ellis proved that age is no barrier in the seven to nine-years age group.
The Sutton Green Primary School pupil qualified from an original pool of 24 competitors, finishing sixth in a 12-man final.
“He did really well and Ellis was the youngest taking part,” said dad Lee Jones, who retired as a professional biker due to injury at the end of last year.
“I was over the moon and really proud of him.”
Ellis will now take part in the 2011 National Series throughout the UK, and will represent The Vale MX from Rossendale, along with Rhys.
