HASLINGDEN rider Tom Carne has earned a place in next year’s Triumph Triple Challenge series after being confirmed as the winner of the Young Guns scheme.

Carne recently won the 125GP class of the British Motostar Championship and a perfect year has now been rounded off in fine style after he fended off competition from a host of other promising motorcyclists to secure his ride for 2014.

The 20-year-old was one of only 10 applicants to gain a place in the Young Guns scheme this year and that group was then whittled down to three riders ahead of a shoot-out at Donington last weekend.

Carne competed on an identical Triumph 675 Daytona – a bigger bike than the 125 he had raced on during the British Motostar Championship – against rivals Matt Shillings and Max Alexander.

But he impressed and discovered on Monday that he had been chosen as the winner of the scheme.

Judging was also based on a range of activities the riders took part in during the year – including fitness work, technical studies and media training.

As the Young Guns winner, Carne receives a place in the Triumph Triple Challenge – a step up from the British Motostar Championship – and financial assistance.

He said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have been chosen as the winner of the 2013 Triumph Young Guns scheme and am very excited to be competing in the Triumph Triple Challenge next year.

“The Young Guns scheme has been a big part of my life over the last few months and has enabled me to learn huge amounts – both off and on the track.

“I will use everything I have learned and benefited from to move forward in my racing career.

“My aim for 2014 is to reach the top and become a Triumph Triple champion.”