RYAN Willows has set his sights on riding in next summer's ACU British Supermoto Championship 450cc class.

This form of motorbike racing is ridden part on dirt and part on track, and it does not follow that great road racers or motocross riders will be good at this discipline.

Participants need to be true all-rounders, with the balance and poise of a top trials rider, the fitness levels of a good athlete and the high-speed bottle of a road racer.

Willows, from Worting Road, Basingstoke, has just enjoyed his first season in the sport, racing in the Maxxis Cup, where he finished sixth out of 26 riders, with his best place being a fifth at Cadwell Park.

This has given him the motivation to want to mix it with the big boys of the sport, and two of his heroes, Matt Winstanley and Leighton Haigh.

The 19-year-old self-employed ceramic tiler said: "It was a big thrill to talk to them in the pits last season, and now I will be riding against them."

As well as riding in the 450cc championship, Willows will also compete in the Moto Motors 250cc class.

Looking at his chances for next season, he said: "I think a top three place is not out of reach, and a top 20 finish in the 450cc class would be great."

To help him achieve this, Willows is on the look out for sponsorship as, like any form of motorsport, it does not come cheap.

The teenager said: "Anything will help and I have places on the bike and on my leathers where I can put sponsors' logos. The series is televised and very popular, so there is the chance of a lot of exposure."

This year can be looked upon as a great triumph when you consider, two years ago, a motocross accident nearly ended his career on two wheels.

He nearly lost a leg after he T-boned his bike going into a corner and the brake lever went through his boot into the limb. Nothing was broken, but some fibres were forced into his leg and, six weeks later, the wound became badly infected.

Willows said: "It came as a real shock when they said I could lose my leg because of the infection, but I was lucky and now I'm fine."

The teenage rider will be back in action early next year in the Motard Masters Supermoto series, which comprises three races, the first being on the Three Sisters Race Circuit near Wigan, on the weekend of January 22 and 23.

Three weeks later, the next round is at the same circuit, with the final event of the triple-race date nearer to home, at the Lydd International Raceway, Ashford, on March 5 and 6.

Anyone who can help Willows with any sponsorship can contact him on 07774 452105.