West Highland Wheeler flies high at national level
A young Lochaber mountain biker has been taking the Scottish downhill world by storm this year after a number of impressive victories and podium finishes in regional and national competitions.
Eleven-year-old Archie Ferguson, from Inverlochy, is among a crop of emerging young mountain bikers in the area that have been competing in the Highland Hard Line Downhill competition this season, traveling all over Scotland to compete against fellow bikers.
Inverlochy Primary School pupil Archie, who celebrated his eleventh birthday just last month, has won the first two rounds of the series and came fifth in the third. The West Highland Wheelers biker hopes his good form will continue for the remainder of the season and is looking to maintain his place at the top of the leader board.
By winning those Hard Line races, Archie qualified for a spot in the under-12 Scottish Cycling Mini Downhill race at Nevis Range during the UCI World Cup events on Saturday June 2. After a hardfought race against bikers from across the country, Archie finished in second-place – a huge achievement for the youngster who is racing against boys one year senior to him.
Ten members of the West Highland Wheelers took part in the Mini Downhill race at the recent UCI World Cup in what was an incredible performance from the Lochaber youngsters and shows the health of youth mountain biking in the area.
Daniel Parfit and Josh Parton also put in great race runs in the under-12 competition, both just missing out on top three finishes.
In the under-14 category, Fraser Clark also just missed out on a top-three place.
Archie’s dad, Jack, said: ‘For a local boy, and member of the West Highland Wheelers club, to make it on the podium at the Mini Downhill is amazing and a massive achievement.’