Motorbikes: Enduro in sight for Neil

UP-AND-COMING motorbike endurance ace Neil Chatham has qualified for one of three places in the UEM Under-23 Promotional Enduro Team.

Neil, 19, from Gullane will now take part in the UEM European Enduro Championship with races in France, Poland, Italy and Portugal

Neil, who was fourth in his class in the British Enduro Championship in 2009 and second overall in the 2009 Scottish Expert Enduro Championship, joins the Italian team run by Mucci Racing and supported by Husqvarna, UFO plastics and the UEM (European Motorcycle Union) Federation, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

He was nominated represent the United Kingdom after responding to an appeal for up-and-coming Enduro riders under the age of 23.

Neil said: "This is what I have been training for all my life, I have been looking for a break to lift me into the European scene and this is just a fantastic unique opportunity. I would like to thank John Collins and Mary Kerr of the ACU for nominating me and I also must thank Sam Davidson, the Scottish team manager, for accompanying me out to Italy for the qualification process.

"The SACU Enduro committee have also been very supportive, including chairman Charles Mackenzie. I intend to focus completely on performing to the best of my ability and learn as much as possible from the Mucci Race team."

There were 12 riders from 12 European countries nominated by their federations to attend the selection process. Three riders were chosen following physical, mental and BMI tests over two days including a short stint on the Husqvarna motorcycles.

The first round of the UEM Enduro Championship is in France on 1-2 May.