A TALENTED Lochore teenager is set to take a step closer towards the pinnacle of motorbike racing after claiming a national title.

Lennon Docherty, 15, accelerated to victory in the 2022 Bemsee (British Motorcycle Racing Club) Kawasaki Team Green Cup, picking up 15 race wins, and a further 11 podium places, along the way.

Now the youngster, who is a pupil at St Columba's High School in Dunfermline, is set to compete in the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship next year, a series that is a support class of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

After beginning racing in mini motos at the age of seven, Lennon almost instantly enjoyed success, finishing first in the 910 Cup Championship.

In 2020, he started competing in the Kawasaki Team Green Cup, racing on a 28 bhp (brake horsepower) restricted bike, and although there were only three rounds of competition completed due to COVID-19, Lennon finished on the podium in each race, winning the last of that year into the bargain.

Six rounds of racing were then held in 2021 and the teenager, after moving on to ride a full power, Kawasaki Ninja 400 bike, finished runner-up in the championship, and was named 'Young Rider of the Year' at the end of season awards ceremony.

His performances saw him go into this year's edition, which was held over eight rounds, as one the four title favourites and, after winning the first race of the season at Brands Hatch, he went into the final round of racing, against at Brands Hatch, last month leading the championship.

Although there were 100 points up for grabs, and his lead stood at 34, he wrapped up his title win before the final day of competition.

Lennon collected all four wins in the final instalment of a series that sees all competitors, of which there were more than 30, ride bikes with the same power, tyres and other specifications.

Lennon was also awarded the Sir Ben Ball Trophy, an awarded presented to a young rider that is deemed to be a potential professional champion of the future, and his proud dad, Wullie, told Times Sport: "It's been a hard year, but a really good year.

"Going into the last race at Brands Hatch, he was leading the championship, but I'm not sure how he was able to cope. He was the most relaxed person there!

"Lennon is such a level-headed guy, especially for 15-years-old; sometimes, he's so relaxed, he's almost horizontal.

"He believed in himself and battled hard. It's a level playing field, and that's what makes me so proud; he's done it purely on talent."

During the course of the season, Lennon was given two wild card opportunities to ride for the Symcirrus Motorsport team, riding a HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship bike.

After finishing seventh in his first attempt, he was given another chance as a wild card between the last two rounds of the Kawasaki Team Green Cup, finishing once more in the points, and Lennon will now ride for Symcirrus Motorsport in the Junior Supersport series next year.

Wullie described it as a "fantastic opportunity" for Lennon, who has been supported by a number of sponsors, including Claire’s Nailz; Ringtone Racepainter; Clarik Limited; DocFit; GSG Performance; Bonthrones Plumbing and Heating; M R Coachworks; Mark Haddan Painter and Decorator; PFI Sign plus; and The Wilson’s.

Any business that is interested in supporting Lennon's racing for 2023 can contact Times Sport and we'll put you in touch.