A TEENAGE rider from Whixall will be racing for Great Britain at the World BMX Championships in France.

Sophie Kynaston is 13-years-old and a member of the Bulldog BMX racing team which is sponsored by Bulldog Security Products and she will be heading to Nantes to compete in the championships which run from Tuesday, July 26 to Sunday, July 31.

Sophie will be racing in the Female 13 class and will be heading to France along with fellow riders, Eddie and Archie Smallman and Alex Hemmings.

Kirsty Smallman from J&PR Ltd said Sophie and other riders will be racing on the same track as British Olympic medallists.

She added: "It’s an exciting prospect for the riders who will be racing on the same track as fellow GB racers and Olympic gold medalist Beth Shriever and Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte.

"It’s the biggest BMX event of the year and Nantes has been transformed into a multi-national world sporting village for the occasion. "Riders from across the globe will be converging on the French city to compete on a new track which has been specially constructed for the World Championships."

Sophie had to compete in the national British BMX Series last year in order to qualify for this year's event in France.

Ian Jordan, the Bulldog Security Products managing director is delighted to be sponsoring Sophie and her fellow riders.

He said: "The BMX World Championships bring the sport's very best riders together at one big showpiece event and we are delighted to have four of the Bulldog BMX Racing team competing.

"We are looking forward to cheering our riders on and wish them the very best for what must be the highlight of their young racing careers so far.

"I am extremely proud of our riders, they clearly enjoy the sport and always set a good example when they are racing.

"It will be amazing to see them flying the Bulldog flag, along with that of Team GB in France.

"The Bulldog branding colours are perfect to match their GB jerseys.

"It has been a delight to sponsor our team of brilliant youngsters who are following their racing dreams."

Kirsty said the Sophie and the other riders should be proud to be pulling on the GB jersey.

She added: "Our four riders have all worked hard to qualify for the World Championships after a couple of years of disappointment

"They have trained hard at their respective BMX clubs and have already enjoyed North and Midlands Regional racing, the majority of the British series and some European racing too.

"They should be so proud to pull on their GB jerseys and we know they will enjoy every second of the event."