WEYMOUTH teenager Charlie Cox performed well in the first round of the Sulis Scorpions Junior Race Series.

The series incorporates a six-race event with one every month through to June and has races for under-10s through to junior under-18s.

Cox, who began his racing experience riding for Mud, Sweat n Gears CC, earned a superb second place in the mid-race sprint competition Maybe due to this effort he began to suffer and slipped off the back of the lead group as the pace increased.

It would have been quite easy for him to give in at this point and resign himself to a mid to back-of-the-field finish but instead he showed some top early season form and determination by working with a couple other riders, and managed to make it back to the lead group with one and a half laps to go.

Still not satisfied he took advantage of a momentary easing of the pace and attacked off the front in the last half a lap.

Despite understandably fading a little in the sprint for the line, Cox held on to finish a fine fourth place overall in a strong field of riders.

That proved a great result for the Mud, Sweat n Gears CC rider and hopefully a sign of things to come for the new race team who will be competing in many races over the coming year.

n The team launches officially on Saturday at Mud, Sweat and Gears at Link Park where everyone is welcome to go and meet the team riders.

The club has more than 500 members and is supporting around 12 riders this year who are keen to participate in competitive racing, ranging in age from 16 upwards.

n Anyone interested in helping with sponsoring this local team is also welcome to go along. With a lot of upcoming races this year, the growing popularity of cycling and its increasing exposure it is a great time to get involved.