ACU announces Motocross Academy.

The ACU Academy is about to get dirty, with the news that a new Motocross Academy has been launched to help up-and-coming British racers.

Eight riders [some of which are pictured] were chosen by BYMX coaches, using only ability and potential as the selection criteria, they are listed below:

Ray Rowson: [14 years old, from Shrewsbury]. Rowson is one of the UK's top small wheel 85cc competitors.

Alex Snow: [14 years old, from Devon]. Snow is another talented young rider competing in the 85cc big wheel British Championship.

Oliver Sandiford-Smith: [14 years old] BYMX competitor who came 3rd in the 125cc British Championship.

Jim Murrow: [17 years old, from Lancashire] One of Britain's brightest talents. In 2002 Murrow was 2nd in the BYMX British Championships and 17th in the 125cc Adult Class.

Dorren Coutts: [15 years old, from Sussex]. A bright talent in the 85cc big wheel class.

Chad Yarranton: [14 years old, from Stourport on Severn]. 2001 85cc small wheel British Champion

Craig Cook: [15 years old, from Cumbria]. 4th in the BYMX big wheel 85cc 2002 British Championships.

Sean Frayne: [15 years old, from Kettering]. In 2002 Frayne came 7th in the big wheel 85cc BYMX British Championships

These riders have now started their programme of Academy training seminars. These will include days with Sports Psychologists and a number of visits to the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall for some Olympic class fitness training.

To compliment this training the boys will be given exclusive on bike coaching with the ACU's team of specialist trainers, including multiple British Champion Rob Herring and multiple World Champion Dave Thorpe.

The aim of all this effort is to put some - if not all - of the eight onto the World Stage as soon as possible.