He finished ninth in the Mt Evans Hillclimb, 14,000 feet above sea level on the highest paved road in the world and racing against professional senior riders.

That’s pretty good for a 16-year-old from

Tamworth.

“Against that level of rider it is,” dad Alan Spokes said.

“He could have ridden in his age group, which he did two years ago and won.

“But they thought it would test him more to ride against the men and he certainly came up well.”

Sam is riding with Port Macquarie-based club Real Aussie Kids and has been in the US for several weeks where he has competed in junior and senior events with success.

He was elevated to the senior ranks due to his impressive displays in the juniors and found immediate success against the men.

The hillclimb was probably his biggest challenge though with teams from all over America competing in the gruelling event.

His trip over for another year, Sam arrives home at the end of the week.

But he is already planning his next

competition.

“The next thing for him is the Australian titles in September,” Alan Spokes said.

“So that’s six weeks away which gives him time to refocus.

“He’s looking forward to that.

“Then after that he can look forward to Tasmania because he’s going to ride in the Tasmanian track races.”