A TRIP to the famed Manchester Velodrome has transformed the life of a teenage cyclist who aims to follow the footsteps of his Olympic champion heroes.

Ryan Bainbridge, a student at St Aidan’s Church of England Academy, in Hundens Lane, Darlington, went to the velodrome with the school’s cycling club.

The visit took place before the London Olympics and inspired the 13-year-old to pursue a cycling career. However, Ryan’s nearest track racing club is held at the Manchester Velodrome, meaning mum Leanne now drives him to the city every Saturday to train with the Eastlands Velo Club.

During the visits, Ryan does team pursuit training as well as individual time trials and is working towards accreditation that will allow him to race.

He said: “I really like cycling. I love going out on my bike and when I went to the velodrome the first time I just felt so comfortable and confident about being there.

“We get up at 4am on a Saturday to go down to Manchester and I am working towards becoming accredited, which would allow me to take part in races. I am really keen to keep working at developing my cycling.”

Ryan, who says Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy is his hero, enjoys rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the sport and has visited the velodrome when double Olympic gold medalist Laura Trott has been training.