Four-year-old makes history at motocross track

A four-year-old boy has become the youngest motocross rider to take on an island track, following a rule change by the sport's governing body.

The Auto Cycle Union recently lowered the minimum age for a racing licence from six to four, allowing Thomas to compete at the Pleinmont cliffs track for the first time.

He took part in his first ever race on 3 January on his new 50cc motorbike, which he said Santa brought him for Christmas.

"I love riding my motorbike and I like everyone watching me," Thomas said after the race.

Thomas's mum Nikita Burnett said he had grown up around bikes and had been riding in different forms since he was a baby.

"He had his first sit-on bike at 10 months old and by two he was riding a bicycle without stabilisers," she said.

She added that the rule change could help more young children get involved in the sport earlier.

"The bikes are restricted for safety and it's also a really social environment for families," she said.

Although Thomas currently has no direct competition at his age, his mum said she hoped more young riders would now join him on the track.

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