A PAIR of cyclists from Astley and Tyldesley have been crowned Manchester League individual champions for their age groups.

Tom Whitwam, from Astley, backed up last year’s under 10s triumph with a win at Stockport on Wednesday seeing him crowned under 13s champion.

Adam Watson, from Tyldesley, secured the under 16s crown on the same night.

Ten-year-old Whitwam headed into the final round at Stockport with a two-point lead and had to win his first three races to make it virtually impossible to lose the championship.

Whitwam took the required victories to win overall by one point.

Fifteen-year-old Watson raced brilliantly in the first five rounds to bring an impressive 15-point lead into the final round, making it virtually impossible for him to be beaten.

Watson kept his cool to race away to clear victory and also narrowly missed out on a podium position in the seniors match, where he finished in fourth place.

Both boys are competing at Ipswich in a fortnight in the second national round of the British Youth Championships.