A YOUNG cyclist from Northallerton has won a place in a national cycling team after being talent-spotted at a competition.

Jessica Roberts, 15, has been chosen from 3,000 riders across Yorkshire and the North-East to join the British Cycling Talent Team.

She was invited to try out for the team after impressing the judges and audience at a competition in Middlesbrough. The try-outs were held in three stages, with Jessica having to demonstrate her skills in speed and endurance riding.

Having won her place in the ten-man team, Jessica, who is a student at Northallerton College, is being coached in a variety of disciplines, ranging from road racing and mountain biking to cyclo-cross and track events. She has been given two new bikes and will take part in a series of training camps including sessions at the Manchester Velodrome.

Her father, Paul, is secretary of the Wensleydale Wheelers cycling club, and Jessica has been riding since she was three. She began competing only last year, but is already setting her sights on national and international competitions.

"Being chosen for the team was a really nice surprise," she said. "It's quite hard work, but it's fun and really improving my skills. I want to keep improving and hopefully compete in the Olympics on day."