Moray teenager Caleb Rigg wins gold at Ride the Worlds pump track competition - run alongside UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow - and impresses Drop n Roll Tour legends Danny MacAskill and Duncan Shaw with his bike skills
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A Moray mountain bike enthusiast is feeling on top of the world after winning a Ride the Worlds event run in parallel with the UCI Cycling World Championships.
Elgin Academy pupil Caleb Rigg (13) came through north qualifiers to reach the Glasgow finals during the world championships, and raced his way to the gold medal in the under-14 category against top national competitors in his age group.
His reward was the coveted medal and a unique Ride the Worlds t-shirt which was presented to him by legendary trials riders and Drop ‘n’ Roll Tour stars Danny MacAskill and Duncan Shaw.
Now it is hoped that the youngster's dedication and achievements can inspire other Moray people to get on their bikes and give the sport a go.
Caleb, a member of the Wolfpax Riders mountain bike club based in Laggan, has overcome the geographical disadvantage of not having suitable facilities in his home area.
His father Grant explained what pump track cycling is and how his son has emerged as a prodigious talent in his sport.
"He developed a natural flair for mountain bike riding from a young age and it soon became his number one passion," he said. "There are various disciplines within mountain biking but Caleb has a particular interest in downhill, enduro, freestyle and pump track.
"Caleb spends as often as he can on his bike, honing his skills, practising or ‘sessioning’ his local trails. He also likes to travel to different locations to experience other trails or facilities or generally just have fun with like-minded friends.
He has entered a number of friendly competitions that started when he was aged seven when he entered the Dirt Crit series (mini cross country mountain bike races for junior riders).
"Given Caleb’s preferred riding style, this soon gravitated to mini-downhill races, and he has recently taken part in some enduro races.
"He is a naturally talented rider in each of these disciplines, but on the pump track, Caleb is a different class."
Pump tracks are short asphalt tracks with a sequence of features called ‘rollers’ and banked corners called ‘berms’. They are designed to be ridden without pedalling, using a ‘pumping’ motion where the rider uses momentum and generates speed through pushing and pulling the bike over the many features.
Grant said: "Pump tracks are incredibly versatile facilities and develop so many skills that can be translated to other aspects of riding, particularly mountain bike riding or BMX.
"However, the beauty of them are that they are accessible to almost anyone and are for all ages and experience levels, as well as almost any type of bike – including balance bikes.
"Caleb’s five-year-old cousin only recently got a new bike for his birthday and on the first day of getting it, spent several hours looping a pump track, developing his confidence and didn’t want to come off.
"The confidence they build in riding and bike-handling is unrivalled and I would encourage anyone to try them. They also promote positive, pro-social lifestyles, there is a supportive and inclusive culture at each track and they encourage creativity and healthy competition.
"The best thing about them is that they’re free to use so are very much accessible for all. That said, there is no facility in Moray meaning we have to travel to either Inverness or Boat of Garten to use the excellent facilities they have there.
"Fort William have also just opened a brand new pump track which we were fortunate enough to visit on the opening day."
Geography has proved to be no obstacle for Caleb's enthusiasm and desire to improve his riding.
He has to travel to train and compete, and first entered the local qualifiers for the Ride the World event, which Scottish Cycling organised for youth riders to coincide with Glasgow hosting the world championships this summer.
Five regional qualifiers for the pump track event were created, with Caleb winning the north qualifier at Boat of Garten's Woodland Wheels pump track to reach the Glasgow finals.
Held at Cathkin Braes pump track, it meant a four-hour journey for Caleb to take part at a venue he had never ridden on before. Many of his rivals lived close to Glasgow meaning local knowledge gave them the edge.
His first race took place in heavy rain on a soaking track but he still managed to complete a very quick lap. By the time his second race arrived, the sun had broken through and the track had dried up.
"Caleb powered round the track, putting together a brilliant lap that saw him take first place by well over a second ahead of the second-place rider," said his proud dad.
Then came the thrill of receiving his prize from two of his sport's greatest heroes. Danny MacAskill's jaw-dropping trail bike skills have been watched by many millions on YouTube, including his famous conquering of his home island of Skye's Cuillin Ridge.
The legendary rider teamed up with pal Duncan Shaw to launch their own Drop n Roll Tour showcasing their daredevil talents to a worldwide audience.
Dad Grant added: "Caleb’s achievement puts Moray on the map for local talent and we are very proud of him.
"I hope his win inspires others to give it a go and encourages those who have it within their power to work together to introduce more facilities, such as a pump track, to the Moray area given the tangible benefits they have for local kids."
Caleb's Wolfpax Riders club has a wide range of youth riders across many age groups and cater for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
The club has an excellent governance structure and provides opportunities for club members to experience some of the best mountain biking spots across the North of Scotland.
