YOUNG motocross star Tom Darlow, from Wiveliscombe, has become the Premier Mx MX2 2-Stroke Motocross champion for 2017.

Darlow, who is aged 15 and attends Kingsmead School, first put his leg over a motorbike at the age of five.

He moved up on to a 65cc Ktm at the age of seven and started to compete in enduro events and a few motocross events.

Aged nine, he went on to an 85cc and proved that he had the talent to compete, travelling to many major events across the country at schoolboy level.

In 2017, at the age of 14, Darlow stepped up a gear to ride a 125 2-Stroke Ktm, moving into the adult ranks.

So he registered to compete in the St Blazey Mx Premier South West MX2 2-Stroke Motocross Championship, which consisted of eight rounds, mainly in the South West, with three races at each round.

His age meant he wasn’t eligible (by just four days) to compete at the opening round but started in round 2.

Darlow led the championship but a heavy crash mid-season at Royal Wootton Bassett meant he sustained a lower back injury and he dropped back down the standings.

However, his consistency over the next couple of rounds saw him claw his way back to the top of the standings.

Darlow went into the final round at Landrake Moto Parc, near Saltash, only needing to score well in the opening race – which he did, and he was declared champion.