WHATEVER the terrain, whatever the conditions, Lucy Horrocks has shown she is as good on two wheels as she is on two feet.

Whether it’s cyclo-cross, fell running or cross country, the 12-year-old has started to show she is way ahead of the competition.

Lucy, a pupil at West Craven Technology College, Barnoldswick, has only been taking part in cyclo-cross for two years but recently finished in second place in her first national championships — and that was competing against girls older and more experienced.

Dad Mark said: “Lucy has been running since she was about six years old and has grown up around riding, as both myself and her mum compete.

“It doesn’t surprise me that she is good at both as cyclo-cross is basically cross country but on a bike. The courses are very similar and there’s a lot of climbing or riding up muddy hills. Or in some cases, carrying your bike up muddy hills.”

Lucy caused something of a stir at the Cyclo Cross National Championships at Peel Park in Bradford — the finale of the cyclo season when she snatched second place.

“Nobody really knew what Lucy could do and to be honest we didn’t expect her to do what she did either,” added Mark. “Because of the travel involved and her being so young we didn’t take part in the national series. So to finish in second place against some very good riders was a great result.”

Mark, whose son Sam also rides, said: “Myself and Juliette have both competed for quite some time so it is good to see Lucy enjoying it as well.”

Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing which takes place in the autumn and winter.

It consists of many laps of a short course which can feature pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount and carry the bike while navigating the obstruction.

Senior races can be up an hour long, with the distance varying depending on the ground conditions.