A YOUNG Runcorn cyclist has won a national youth cycling tour race beating riders from across the UK.

Evelina Black, aged 10, is now ranked number one by British Cycling in her age category.

She competed in five races over three days in Preston, Blackpool and Lancaster and fought off stiff competition to win the north west championships.

Her proud mum, Tina, aged 38, an accountant, from Halton Road, said: “She is dedicated and very talented.

“This has been her first full season of racing. She is going from strength to strength.”

Evelina, a pupil at The Grange School in Latham Avenue, only took up the sport two years ago.

Tina said: “She went on a British cycling summer school for two days and was hooked. She said she would like to have a go at racing.

“Her general fitness is very good. She does a lot of swimming and running.”

Her five-year-old brother, Edward, recently won a gold medal at his first competition.

Evelina rides for Bolton Hotwheels on a B1 road bike and competes in a race every month.

She holds the title for under 10 girls north west cyclocross and is currently leading the north west road league.

She enjoys cycling with her dad, Mark, aged 37, a vascular scientist, who works at Chester Hospital.

Tina added: “You’ll see them early on a Sunday morning riding round Runcorn.

“She has just started on the velodrome track and hopes to do some racing there.

“She would love to make a career out of riding and become a professional cyclist.”