A HOT Droitwich motorcycle prospect has underlined his ability by winning a national champion-ship.

Thirteen-year-old Chris Jones wrapped up the Motor Racing Organistation Powerbike Tour 125cc title with a round ten victory at Brands Hatch -- breaking the lap record in the process.

En route to the crown he achieved eight podium finishes, including four victories.

It is the first time the promising Droitwich Spa youngster has raced at 125cc level. As a result, he has earned the chance to compete against Europe's best juniors in the final two rounds of the Spanish 125cc championship.

Chris, who has won a staggering 37 trophies on his 130 mph bike this year, was contacted by the manager of newly-crowned 250cc world champion Dani Pedrosa.

He jets out to Valencia next week ahead of the penultimate round before heading to another Spanish venue, Jerez, for the final round the weekend after.

Chris, who wants to enter the Moto GP, the sport's world showpiece, said: "It's a very competitive class over there and a lot of people from over here have been doing it for a few years.

"I would like to say I would finish in the top ten, but I have never raced over there before."

There is no doubting the meteoric rise of the Droitwich Spa High School student in the sport. He started riding at the age of two and has since worked his way up through Mini Moto and on to the Powerbike Tour.

He turns 14 at the end of next week, making him eligible for the British Super-bikes next March, and at 15 he can enter the Moto GP 125cc championship.

Chris, who has earned nearly £3,000 from competitions this year, has been tipped as the next Casey Stoner, a Moto GP 125cc talent, and some, including his father Clive, believe he has what it takes.

"All he wants to do is ride bikes," Mr Jones said. "He can be whatever he wants to be. It's a dangerous sport but he's a very good rider -- if that's what he wants to do I think he can make a very good living.

"I am not saying he's going to be the next Valentino Rossi (current 500cc world champion) but he's talented. What he's done in his first year has been amazing.

"They know how talented he is, but it's the lap times. We have trophies but it's the lap times that you have got to be thinking about."

Steve Carley