Young champ is riding high

GIVEN he got on his first motocross bike at four years old, it’s fair to say Cooper Ford isn’t your typical kid.

Cooper, now 8, took up the sport earlier than most and was crowned Australian Junior Champion for the 65cc 7-under 9 class at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships last week.

The event, held in Penguin on the North-West Coast, pitted Cooper against 28 of Australia’s best riders in his category. The youngster finished as the only Tasmanian on the podium across the event.

The achievement comes after winning two state titles, in New South Wales and Tasmania, in what has been a stellar year.

“Every now and again I get a bit nervous but the thing I enjoy the most is the competition of the races,” Cooper said.

He picked up the sport from his father, Stuart, who used to race. And while Stuart and wife, Karen, can be onedge watching him compete, they are very proud of their son’s achievements.

“To come out number 1 in Australia was a great achievement and we are very proud,” Stuart said.

“We are pretty accustomed to it now, but some of the big jumps can be quite nerveracking.

“It’s just some great reward for how much he puts into it.”

The family will travel to Bridport this weekend for another of Cooper’s races, with the youngster’s future in the sport looking brighter than ever now he can call himself a national champion.