"Super cool": Perthshire's Charlie Aldridge shares delight after U23 cross country cycling world title win

Perthshire’s Charlie Aldridge has reflected on the extra special experience of becoming a world champion in front of friends, family and an excitable home crowd.

The talented rider, from Crieff, claimed under-23 cross-country gold at the UCI Cycling World Championships.

He stormed to the rainbow jersey thanks to a phenomenal performance at Glentress on Friday.

Aldridge, previously a junior world champion, quickly made an impression in the race and was at the front of the pack through the first lap.

He stuck to his guns to keep the pressure on and would soon pull away from the group with three others.

French rider Adrien Boichis was pushing hard, as was Swiss competitor Dario Lillo and America’s Riley Amos.

But, with three laps remaining, Aldridge stepped up a gear to test his closest rivals further.

In the final lap, the former Morrison’s Academy student showed his full potential and attacked hard up the climbs.

Boichis attempted to keep pace but Aldridge was clear and crossed the finish line with a beaming smile and to the delight of the Scottish support.

“World champion sounds pretty good,” Aldridge smiled. “To win at home with everyone I know, with friends and family, is a completely different ball game.

“I’m super, super, super excited and I couldn’t stop smiling on the podium.”

He added: “It’s a long race so you have to save energy a bit and watch the other boys and see how they’re getting on. That last lap was just all out, whoever was the strongest really.

“I didn’t believe it until the finish line. I was just all out until I was at the home straight.

“All I could hear was ‘Go on Charlie’ up the climbs. It was super, super cool.”

Perth’s Rory McGuire was competing in the same race and finished 58th after suffering