Cycling sisters Hannah and Kate Shaw are setting the standard for their bike-mad dad.
Five-year-old Hannah and seven-year-old Kate are quickly becoming the real stars of the Huddersfield cycling scene.
While mountain bike and cyclo-cross veteran David is still competing for Huddersfield Star Wheelers, it’s his young daughters that are bringing home the silverware.
Kate recently won the under eight cyclo-cross race at the National Championships in Derby while her little sister managed a third place.
Mum Louise said the two girls had really taken to two wheels.
She said: “Hannah’s only five and she’s taking part in the under eights.
“She likes to ride in her wellies and she smiles all the way round.
“Kate’s had a good season and she’s just won three races in a row.
“She’s got a lot of energy.
“It started when she came second in the Yorkshire Cyclo Cross Association summer series.
“In the winter she got a few seconds and thirds then she won the race at Todmorden, one at Ripley Castle and now the National Championships at Derby.”
Louise said Kate had always been a star on a bike since she took to two wheels aged four.
“She never had any stabilisers and she took to it like a duck to water,” she said.
“In the last six months she’s realised it’s competitive and she really does dig deep.
“They cycle laps for ten minutes and she managed to do a whole lap extra to the person who came second.”
Kate has now been named as the Huddersfield Star Wheelers’ best under 12 girl.
Louise added: “Dad is definitely having his nose rubbed in it by the other members as his little girl is the star of the club.”
Kate, who attends Dalton Junior School with her younger sister, said she liked being on the podium.
She added: “I like getting muddy!”.
The whole family are now looking forward to the Tour De France’s Grand Depart in Yorkshire on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday 6.
Louise added: “We’ve been to two already so we’re very excited about this summer.”
