A PAIR of cycle speedway riders from Astley and Tyldesley sit third in their respective age groups after the second national round of the British Youth Championship.

In the under 12s, Thomas Whitwam, aged 10 from Astley, was competing in his first year at this age group.

In the 30-strong field at Ipswich Whitwam was one of only three riders to win every race in his four heats to make a certain qualification for the A final.

Whitwam lined up in gate four and rode a fantastic race to take 16 points and retain third place with two rounds remaining.

Adam Watson, of Tyldesley, also raced to victory in his heats to qualify for the A final.

Watson had a difficult draw from the outside, but a spectacular pass on the second lap saw his closest rivals left in his slip stream as he took a well-deserved second place.

Watson holds third place in the under 16s event, with the remaining rounds to be held in the Midlands and Wales.