Globe trotting brothers hit the heights

The pint-sized BMX racers jetted off to Colombia with parents Natalie and Pete to compete in the World Championships, as the duo added to an already impressive racing CV.

Kynan, 11, and Troy, eight, have only been riding for three years, but in that time have competed alongside the best that Britain, Europe and the world have to offer.

Their BMX action, in which the speedsters hurdle a humped circuit at full-tilt, must qualify them for the fastest pair on two wheels without an engine in Staffordshire.

Troy just fell shy of a semi-final place in Medellin in Colombia, while older brother Kynan was unfortunate in failing to get out of the group stage.

What began as a hobby in the park for the family a handful of years ago has turned into something rather more serious, as the pair are also ready to compete in July's European Championships in Italy.

The Medellin event was already Troy's third World Championship appearance, after racing in Holland and Belgium at the age of six and seven.

The family were out in South America for a total of 10 days, clocking up almost 20 hours in air miles and enjoying the other delights that top-level BMX racing has to offer.

But, for proud mum Natalie, the fact that the boys aren't stuck in front of a television screen is something to saviour.

She said: "They liked to be at skate parks and that kind of thing and Pete Googled it around Christmas time in 2012 and we found out about a local club.

"It's been a rollercoaster and much bigger than we'd expected. They've always been active kids and are never really stuck in front of a screen watching TV or playing video games.

"Who knows how long it'll last like this? You know what kids are like – but we will see."

The pair turn out for Perry Barr-based GET Maxtrax – who also have a track in Dawley in Telford. They ride in the British BMX Series at their age categories.

The busy schedule looks set to continue, with more action in London's Peckham at the end of the month followed by a European adventure in Italy.

Natalie is hoping that the pair qualify for next year's World Championships in South Carolina.

But a harsh domestic rule change sees only the top seven in the B BMX Series make the cut, rather than the previous rule of top 15.

Troy, who attends Pye Green Academy, is currently looking good to qualify in fifth, while Kingsmead High School star Kynan has some catching up to do.

But after pitting their wits alongside riders from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Australia, the duo are well on their way.

Despite hurtling around less than smooth tracks at all kinds of speed, Natalie admitted that the toughest thing she faced out there was letting her lads off to train with the Great Britain squad.

She was in no doubt as to how to make them perform at their peak, continuing: "We had a day or two to acclimatise and train.

"But on the day of racing we had to leave them in a pen early on where they'd be looked after and coaches.

"I was a bit unsure of leaving them in the middle of Colombia, so told them not to wander off out of the facility!

"They're quite competitive lads together. I always tell them to 'imagine you're racing your brother' – as they always seem to have more grit and determination."