A PEEBLES mountain bike racer has made up for the disappointment of crashing out of last year's Scottish Championships by returning to Fort William and taking the title.

Stan Nisbet was among the 12 qualifiers from across Scotland and north England to take part in the Ripper Under 10s finals over the weekend.

And following a blistering two runs on the world-famous track the 10-year-old Priorsford Primary pupil, who races for the Innerleithen-based Inner Soul Racing team, took gold by an amazing 16 seconds.

Stan's dad, Alan, told us: "Stan was disappointed to crash last year and felt he could do better.

"He has been totally focussed on qualifying again and he took his chance at the final."

There was further success for the Inner Soul Racing team with William Brodie also claiming gold in the Under 14s Juvenile section.

The 14-year-old from Denholm was down in sixth following a disappointing first run.

But the promising teenager, who is regarded as one of the best in Britain, improved by an incredible 18 seconds to take the chequered flag.

Another title coming back to the Borders was the Under 16s, with Peebles Cycling Club's Charlie Drewell producing a tremendous second run to reverse first-run positions with Lewis Elder and take gold.

Denholm's Phoebe Gale, who has been competing at downhill since she was 10, claimed silver in the Girls' Juvenile race behind Aimi Kenyon.

Despite a valiant effort in her second run Phoebe was just edged out by 1.59 seconds.