Young cyclists from across the North-East have qualified through a series of local competitions to take part in the regional final of Raleigh Challenge 2001 the national competition

Organised by the British Cycling Federation, the event takes place at the Clairville Stadium, Park Road South, Middlesbrough tomorrow from 10am to 3.30pm.

One hundred children from the North-East and Yorkshire will be competing on their bikes in a skills test and short speed trial. The children will be competing in three age categories, Under-six, Under-nine and Under-13 and the boy and girl that comes out on top in each age group will be taking home the first prize, a Raleigh mountain bike.

All who take part will receive a certificate and the winner of each category will also be invited to take part in a special training day at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Phillip Darnton, Managing Director of Raleigh said: "We'd like to congratulate all the local youngsters who have qualified to take part, they'll enjoy themselves and have a first taste of cycling competition, Raleigh Challenge 2001 is the ideal way for children from four to 13 to have fun on their bikes and a great introduction to cycle sport."