A WEM cycling star has turned his eyes to his summer season, and has sprung a surprise by finishing second place in an open-age race aged just 10 years old.

Isaac Vickery is usually seen dominating his age group's Cyclo-cross season in the winter but he turned to cross-country mountain biking this month.

In the season opener at Cannock Chase, in Staffordshire, Isaac was up against grown men as the race is based on ability, not age, and according to father Richard, he shocked them all.

"The first race of the season is called the Winter Warmer and allows riders to enter races not based on age but instead on ability," said Richard.

"This gave Isaac the opportunity to enter the beginners male race and test himself over the full Cannock Chase National Cross Country Course. Racing full grown men at 10 is a bit daunting but Isaac took it all in his stride.

"He loved the opportunity to ride the A-lines – these are sections of an adult course that are technically hard but far faster than riding the B-lines which are longer, easier, but slower.

"To the amazement of his fellow competitors, after 42 minutes of racing, nearly twice as long as Isaac has raced before, he finished second."

Isaac then headed to Sherwood Pines in Nottingham for the first round of the “Crank It” XC MTB series, where he would race back in his official age group of under-12.

Richard added: "At “Crank It” races riders skills are tested before they race, with points being awarded for technical ability.

"The riders are then given a grid position based on the points they have amassed, and on a relatively dry, flat and fast course, Isaac started on the front of the grid and won the race comfortably.

"Round two of the “Crank It” Series was held in Lee Quarry Bacup in Lancashire – in high winds and on a difficult technical course Isaac led the field from start to finish to take the victory."

Richard added that Isaac's winning streak was no kept to wheels but he also won the Shrewsbury High Junior School Cross Country Championship, helping his St Peter's school in Wem win the team shield at the same time.