Former Arnewood School pupil Maddie Saunders crowned British Individual Cycle Speedway champion at Astley and Tyldesley Speedway Club

FORMER Arnewood School pupil Maddie Saunders has been crowned British Individual Cycle Speedway champion at Astley and Tyldesley Speedway Club in Manchester.

The talented 18-year-old rode to a 20-point maximum, going undefeated throughout her five races, showing her class by pulling off some impressive overtaking manoeuvres in some of her races.

She showed great composure in her last race as the title was on the line, where she came up against past British women’s champion Lauren Hookway, who was also on maximum points.

In the winner-takes-all finale, the tapes went up, and Saunders flew out of the gate and rode her bike into turn one, holding Hookway at bay on her outside.

That was where she stayed throughout the four-lap contest, and Saunders crossed the finishing line victorious to became British women’s champion for the first time.

The victory meant a lot for the hard-working teenager, who has previously featured on the podium twice, but never on the top step.

She has been racing for Poole CSC for the past seven years, where she trains twice a week, and this year, she’s also represented Southampton CSC in the SW League.