A 13-year-old boy from the UK has become the fastest kid in the world by winning the Human Powered Vehicle World Championship’s Junior class. Tim Parker, who is from Stithians and attends Penair School in Truro, competed against kids from all over Europe at the Kent-based contest. Racing against youngsters as old as 16, Tim was able to reach speeds of 30 mph in a HPV powered solely by his own physical strength!
Tim won the contest by riding a ‘fully-faired recumbent trike’, which is essentially a low-riding three-wheeled bicycle that is covered by an aerodynamic shell. The trike was created by Falmouth-based Ice Trikes, whose director Chris Parker is Tim’s father.
Speaking to the press after his victory, Tim said: “I was quite surprised to win it because it was my first ever race in the HPV world. There’s quite a lot of adrenaline pumping around your body at that sort of speed.”
The HPV World Championships bring together racers from all over Europe who race some of the world’s most efficient and advanced pedal cycles in existence. Cyclists have been known to reach speeds of 40 mph on the hi-tech bikes due to their low air resistance and cutting-edge design. Over the course of the event, racers compete in several races ranging from a 100 meter flying start sprint to a 2 hour mass start circuit race. Points are then allocated to the racers for each race and the rider with the most points is declared world champion!
Speaking about his son’s victory, Chris Parker said: “I’m amazed and chuffed to bits. He went a lot faster than I had dreamt he would. During the race he was averaging 28mph – that’s the kind of speed they average in the Tour de France. He did extremely well.”
Next year’s championships will be held in Germany and Tim is said to be already in training. Good luck!
+ HPV World Championships
via This Is Cornwall
Images © HPV World Championships / Ice Trikes
