Cycling: Owen Collins is an Under-23 world champion

Manx rider claims title at 24hr MTB championship in Australia

Young Isle of Man cyclist Owen Collins has been crowned the Under-23 champion at this year's WEMBO World Solo 24-Hour MTB Championships.

Competing at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, Australia from 28-29 September, Team Utmost-Mezzo Isle of Man rider Collins topped the Men's Under-23 standings as he managed 32 laps in 23 hours, 54 minutes and nine seconds.

His performance saw him beat Australian Adam Harper who came second - managing 30 laps in 24 hours, 26 minutes and 38 seconds - whilst another Australian in Thomas Newman claimed the final men's Under-23 podium place in third (18 laps in 20 hours, 50 minutes and 17 seconds.)

Along with winning that category, Collins' time saw him finish 12th in the overall solo male standings for the entire event.

The overall winner across the men's competitions which involved 73 riders in total was Cory Wallace of Canada who managed 40 laps in a time 23 hours, 48 minutes and 18 seconds.

WEMBO (World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation) was formed in September 2011 with founding members from Australia, Italy and Scotland and describes its mission as 'to create a predictable, regular and reliable set of quality world-wide events in which the World's best 24 hour mountain bikers can test themselves against each other at the highest level.'