MOTOR SPORT: A Bolton teenager’s passion for two wheels has earned him a chance to pit his wits against some of the best riders in the world.

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas confirmed his status as one of motorsport’s rising stars when he rode impressively in this year’s British Supermoto Championships, finishing runner-up in the youth class and seventh in the adult 250cc class — even though he was racing on a 150cc bike.

So impressive, in fact, that the 14-year-old Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil has been offered a place on the Motosupplies Husqvarna World and British Supermoto racing team for 2010.

The step up in class means Malachi will ride the new Husqvarna TC250 machine, which has a completely new and prototype 250cc four-stroke engine, as he competes in the British Supermoto Lites 250 Class and the World Championships over seven rounds throughout Europe.

It is a fitting reward for the local youngster who has been riding motocross since the age of six on a 50cc automatic and, after a string of successes at club and regional level, has competed nationally since 2004.

He showed his class and potential when he finished second in the World Mini Trophy U10’s in 2005 and also won a podium place in Belfast at the International Supercross Championship.

In 2008 Malachi was given the opportunity to test a purpose-built Supermoto bike and instantly showed a talent for the quicker-paced events on circuits made up of 90pc tarmac and 10pc dirt and incorporating a variety of jumps. He rode to victory in his third race in the National Championships at Cadwell Park.

As a result, and with the help of sponsorship from the Abram-based Heatons Motor Company, he was offered a ride with WMRacing to compete in the 2009 British Supermoto Championship. It was a break which proved decisive, as his father, Kevin Thomas, acknowledged.

“Malachi was offered the chance to race at the very top level of the sport, just as businesses were beginning to feel the pinch and very big companies were pulling out of motorsport sponsorship,” Mr Thomas said.

“I really needed financial help to make sure he had competitive equipment and we could commit to be at each of the rounds wherever in the country we had to go. Wayne Heaton was kind enough to listen to our plans and generously offered to help financially.”

Looking forward to the next phase of Malachi’s racing career, Mr Thomas added: “Opportunities like this are very thin on the ground at the moment and we are delighted to be able to take up the offer.

“Thanks to Heatons Motor Company and MotoSupplies Husqvarna the year ahead will be exciting and give Mal a chance to test himself against the best riders in the world.”