An Inverness-shire teenager has claimed a national cycling championship – despite missing events through injury.
Eighteen-year-old Liam McLaughlin won the hard fought Enduro Cross junior Scottish title, and is now aiming to take his talents to the world stage.
The former Charleston Academy pupil of Teanassie, near Beauly, missed two races out of six in the championships due to a serious wrist injury.
But his form was still good enough to be crowned the overall winner of the inaugural championship.
He said: “It’s been a lot of hard work but it was a brilliant feeling to win overall.
“This is the first year I’ve raced Enduro events so it was a bit of a step into the unknown.
“I’ll be in the senior categories next year and my times were good enough for a place in the top ten this year so that’s a good start.
“But it will be a real challenge. I’m hoping to get noticed in some of the British races and then we’ll take it from there.”
The teenager has taken a gap year after finishing school in order to concentrate on his cycling.
Enduro racing is an offroad mountain-biking sport which combines cross-country and downhill.
It involves timed downhill stages with riders cycling untimed uphill to the start of each stage – meaning that competitors can spend several hours in the saddle for just a few minutes of competitive action.
There were six rounds in this year’s series and a rider’s best four results counted for the championship.
The series is organised by Fort WIlliam based No Fuss Events. The first event was held at Nevis Range, where Mr McLaughlin finished second.
However, he then missed two of the next three events after falling on a practice day at Innerleithen and fracturing his wrist. But he was able to complete the minimum four events to claim his prize.
Proud father Ron said: “He has done very well to work around his injuries and win.
“It really was something for me to see him winning – I’m really proud of him.”