Last updated 13:34, Thursday, 18 September 2008

PRUDHOE mountain biker Neville Potts has just returned from the French Alps, having fulfilled his dream of competing in the UCI World Masters Championship.

The local daredevil, who took up the sport less than two years ago, came 67th out of 85 the 40 to 44-year-old category.

Stuck behind slower riders, he had to bide his time until they came to a jump - at which point Neville took the chance and slipped past under them.

“It was great to see a few thousand people screaming for you when you’re at the top of the hill,” he said. “And I learned so much from it.

“The average speed on the track out there would have been 52 miles-an-hour, and some of the Irish and Scottish riders had gone out early, riding other courses to learn to keep up with the speeds.

“If I’m lucky enough to do it next year, I’ll arrive a week early. It’s literally like starting from scratch when you’re out there - even the more experienced guys were saying that.”