British Cycling Academy call-up puts Riley one step closer to Olympic dream
A 12-year-old, who has Olympic BMX freestyle aspirations, has taken his first steps to achieving his dream after being inducted into a British Cycling academy.
Riley Johnston, who is a Year 7 pupil at Harleston Sancroft Academy, found out just before Christmas that he had been scouted and selected to take part in the organisation’s Regional BMX Freestyle Academy.
The newly launched programme is designed to nurture and develop young riders, aged between 10 and 15, with their BMX freestyle progression.
It is part of British Cycling’s development pathway, which aims to identify talented riders who could eventually transition into Team GB’s Olympic development squad.
His mum, Tamara Price, who lives in Dickleburgh, said Riley had always loved being on two wheels.
“He had his first balance bike when he was one and started pedaling a bike when he was three,” she said.
“When he got used to that, he would go up on the ramps at the skatepark and it has just snowballed from there. I am so proud of what he has achieved so far.”
The training for the BMX academy sees Riley travel the country at weekends to meet other riders and practice some of the tricks he will need to compete at the highest level.
Riley’s dad, Daniel Johnston, who lives in Diss and was a keen BMX rider himself before being injured in a car accident, takes him to his training sessions.
He said: “We’ve been to Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool so far.
“Some of the Olympic riders and people there say he has got the talent, the skill, bike control and potential to go far with it.
“Hopefully, after a year of intense training, he could get the chance to compete both here and abroad and we will see where it goes from there.
“He really loves to do it and I am the proudest dad in the world that he is doing something that he loves.”
Riley, who has his own Instagram page, where he shows off his jumps, flicks and tricks, said he really enjoys meeting other academy riders and their trainers.
“They are all so friendly and very supportive,” he said. “The adult professionals who are with us help us all so much by going through stuff on the ramps and giving us tips.
“My school friends have congratulated me on getting into the academy, while both mum and dad have done so much to help me.
“I just love being on the bike. I go out after school and do the training every weekend, so hopefully one day, I will be able to do it at the Olympics.”
His mum said that, wherever his induction into the academy takes him, he has come such a long way in a short space of time.
“It is absolutely amazing what he has managed so far,” she said. “He is pursuing his dream and, for him to get the recognition by British Cycling for all his hard work, is just amazing.
“Riley really wants to take his BMX riding to different countries to compete and make it into the Olympic squad, and we will support him every step of the way.”
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