A YOUNG mountain biker has set his sights on taking on the best in the world thanks to a grant.

Reed Darley, 13 and from Ferndown, is already among the nation’s best riders, placing in the top 10 in his age group, but he has been given a grant from the Dorset Community Foundation to take him to the next level.

The Ferndown Middle School pupil has been given £1,000 from the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented, which this year has given more than £11,000 to 15 young sports people.

Reed and his parents, Louisa and Mark, will use the grant to help fund a new specialist downhill racing bike, which costs more than £2,000, as well as travel, entry fees, clothing and equipment.

The young rider has been racing bikes since he was nine and has to travel across England and Wales to compete in regional and national events.

(Image: Dorset Community Foundation)

He competes in downhill racing, sending him and his bike down mountain sides at more than 40mph.

“You get a lot of adrenalin before the start and you're so nervous at the top,” said Reed. “But once you get off the start gate, it's kind of all right. I still talk to myself when I'm going down to help me concentrate but it’s good.”

His mum added: “He just loves it and he has always had a natural flair for racing bikes.

“The courses are incredibly steep and although it takes them just three minutes to race down, it takes us an hour to walk it. It’s crazy, but it’s great.

“It’s what he loves and we support him a hundred per cent.”

The family travels to events in a converted camper van as somewhere to stay and to store equipment at race meetings.

Reed hopes to keep competing at a high level, aiming to be talent scouted by a racing team.

“I go to the gym four times a week and practice riding whenever I can,” said Reed.

“It’s a lot of work but I’m determined to keep on getting better.”

Speaking about the grant, Reed added: “It’s amazing and it'll make a lot of difference. It will help my mum and dad pay off the new downhill bike for me and also with getting more tyres and paying for my race entries.”

For more information, visit the Dorset Community Foundation website.