AN Oxford youngster, who started riding supercross bikes at the age of six, has landed his first national title at 11-years-old.

Bradley Smith, a pupil at Garsington Primary School, is celebrating after he scooped the UK Supercross indoor 65cc championship at the Docklands London arena.

Bradley, riding for the Eurolift team, finished fifth in the final round, but his performances throughout the six-round series ensured the No 1 spot overall - finishing just a point ahead of runner-up Aaron Smith, from Manchester.

Indoor supercross is a fast-growing sport, and draws huge crowds, combining the exciting motor sport with laser light shows, music and pom-pom girls.

A crowd approaching 7,000 packed into the impressive venue for the final round in London, where young Bradley confirmed his status as one of the country's best young prospects.

This year, the series grew to six rounds, held at five different venues across the UK, on courses that have provided a challenge to even the most experienced professional riders, with a series of jumps and stunts on the course, which requires 15,000 tons of earth to construct.

"There's some tricky big double jumps, tight turns and whoops, which are like moguls, and if you don't get the timing right, you can easily fall off," Bradley said.

In the 65cc class, speeds approach 30mph, which although may not sound particularly fast, provide a real test of a rider's ability. And for young Bradley, his victory in the 65cc championship could be the starting point for a successful future in the sport.

He hopes to move up to 85cc next season, and next week, he makes his debut at the higher class when he takes part in the Dutch Supercross Championship in Goes, Holland, where he will compete against riders three years his senior.

However, Bradley's father, Alan, himself a former supercross rider, still feels that the British riders still have a long way to go to catch up with the best riders in the world.

"It's absolutely massive in the USA and France, and to grow even more, it really needs more publicity and awareness," he said.

To claim the UK 65cc crown, Bradley produced consistent displays throughout the series - winning the first round at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, which he followed up with a second place in round two, which was also held in the Northern Ireland capital.

The youngster then took fifth place in rounds three and four, then an excellent performance in round five saw him take the winner's spot.

In London, Bradley injured a toe after an early collision with his title rival Aaron Smith, but finished in fifth place, defying the odds to sneak into fifth spot overall - giving him the 11 points he needed to seal the title.

"The adrenalin I had helped me through the pain," Bradley said.

"I was determined to get the points I needed, and knew I had to finish fifth to win the title."

Bradley's father added: "I was absolutely overjoyed, it was really exciting to watch. I rang one of his sponsors, Bill Sykes, the day after, and he was nearly in tears at the news."