CHIPPENHAM rising para-cycling start Lauren Booth believes her School Games experience will be of huge benefit should she achieve her dream of making it to Tokyo 2020.

Booth was part of the British para-cycling team who competed in Loughborough from September 1-4.

The Abbeyfield School pupil impressed as she finished as the highest-placed individual female para-cyclist in the time trial and road race, coming sixth in both.

And the 15-year-old Carnac Planet X rider said: “I think I rode really well in the time trial because the course was really bumpy and wet and I was able to finish sixth against everyone, and I was the first girl.

“I am pleased with my time because I have never ridden on a road at the School Games and had to race two laps on a track I didn’t know, so I was pleased.

“I won lots of medals at the last two School Games because most of my riding is on the track."

The School Games is a major multi-sport competition for school-age elite athletes and the event is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Booth added: “I really enjoyed the opening ceremony because Max Whitlock (Rio 2016 gymnastics gold medallist) was there and I was able to get a couple of selfies with him, and we had a party there.

“It feels like a mini Olympics and that is good for me because I am training to get to Tokyo 2020 and I am on the Paralympic pathway. The School Games will be really helpful in getting ready to compete in a Paralympics.

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