BRAINTREE Bullets BMX ace Seb Pantlin set himself up in the perfect way for a trip to the UCI BMX World Championships in America next week - by becoming European champion.

Having finished second at the UEC European BMX Championships last year, the Bullets rider went one better as he topped the continent’s best young riding talent by claiming glory in the boys’ 13s age category in Bordeaux in France.

His title is believed to be the first at international level for a current Braintree rider and it means Pantlin can head to Rock Hill in South Carolina full of confidence as he battles against the world’s finest next week.

Bullets head coach Julian Allen was full of praise for the Bullets youngster and having now seen him take European glory as well as in the British Series this year, he feels Pantlin can be a real contender to claim a world title.

Allen said: “Seb has put a lot of time and effort into winning this title.

“He came second last year, which I know was quite frustrating for him.

“Let’s be honest, second in Europe was not too shabby, but he was frustrated and for him to get the win this year is great.

“He hardly lost a race all last year domestically so has been racing up an age level in the (British) National Series this year and he has had a lot of focus on the international racing.

“I think that racing up a level has really helped him and he has developed a lot this year.”

Allen said he thought Pantlin’s title was a first for Braintree Bullets.

He added: “A lot of our riders have had visits to Europe and seen levels of success, but I believe Seb is the first rider to win an international title from the club.

“I’ve thought a lot about it and we’ve had Oli Cutmore finish second at the Worlds in the past and Freia Challis get a W5 plate at the Worlds, but I think this is the first win.”

Two other local riders also saw success in Bordeaux as siblings Bethany and Luke Shriever, who are from Finchingfield, were finalists in their respective categories.

Bethany was racing in the Elite Junior Women’s event and made it into the final but after being squeezed out on the opening straight, she had to settle for sixth spot, while her brother Luke also made the final of the boys’ 14s category where he finished eighth.