A pupil at Calne’s Kingsbury Green Academy has risen to the top of youth cycling after taking up the sport in lockdown.

Year 10 Theo Anderson represented the south at The School Games, an initiative funded by Sport England which provides inter-school events for over 18,700 registered schools.

Theo competed in three track cycling events and managed to secure 2nd place in scratch cycling, which sees competitors race to complete a certain number of laps around a track.

Theo completed 10km in just 12 minutes and has been surprised by his speedy success.

He said: “I had no idea how good I had become. I managed a couple of decent results and it all went from there. 

“I’m now training six days a week after school. Next year I’ll move up to the Under 18s age category and continue competing in national championships.”

Theo had never competed until he began cycling to stay active during lockdown, before being introduced to racing by British Cycling’s Andy Cook.

His Principal, Jason Tudor, added: “We’re so proud of Theo’s achievements and to see him develop so quickly into such an impressive athlete makes him a great role model.

“This talent was always inside Theo and with practice, determination and passion he has managed to quickly rise to the top of the sport.”