TWO rising Forest of Dean mountain bikers have returned home as newly crowned national champions after a thrilling weekend of racing at the national downhill championships in Scotland.

Frankie Windebank and Cooper Cassells led a weekend of local success in Fort William on the Nevis Range, storming to victory in the girls and boys’ ’youth categories, for 15 to 16-year-olds, in their first year racing at top level, battling through classic wet, wild, and unforgiving conditions.

And 2023 World Champion and Forest favourite Charlie Hatton also took men’s senior silver, narrowly missing out on the win finishing just half a second behind the leader after a nail-biting race.

Frankie and Cooper showed incredible skill and composure well beyond their years to earn the top spots and their first national champion jerseys.

Frankie, 15, said: “I’m super stoked. I have put a lot of work in for the event, I have spent some time working on both my physical fitness and mental fitness.

“Fort William is a crazy hard track, I was aiming for a sub-six minute race run and stoked to have knocked eight seconds off the target.”

Frankie and Cooper are both products of the thriving youth mountain biking scene at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, having come through the ranks of the much-loved Little Fodders club.

Now in its 11th year, the club welcomes riders aged five to 14 of all abilities, offering everything from beginner sessions to race-ready coaching.

With nearly 100 members and sessions running every Saturday during term time, and open to all during holidays, it’s become a cornerstone of the local MTB community.

For riders aged 14-17, Wye MTB picks up the baton, continuing the region’s strong tradition of youth development.

This year alone, eight other Little Fodders alumni competed at the National Championship, proof that the Forest of Dean is a true breeding ground for mountain biking talent.

For Frankie, her journey doesn’t stop at the finish line in Scotland either.

She’s currently training to become a British Cycling Activity Coach (Off-Road) and will be giving back to the club volunteering through the summer.

She’s also leading the National Downhill Series rankings with two races remaining this year and will be heading to the French Alps shortly to race a three-day Enduro event in a father and daughter pairing.

David Windebank, Frankie’s father, said: “It’s super impressive stuff. There comes a point where young riders need to take ownership of their journey, and Frankie’s done just that.

“She’s balancing racing, GCSEs, part-time work, and all the behind-the-scenes training. Fair play, Frankie, you crushed it. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.”

Frankie will return to race on her home tracks in September to race the Hope Ladies Enduro, which comes to the Forest of Dean for the first time this year, this time wearing her National Champion’ jersey.

Will Haines also made an impressive debut in the Elite Men’s category, finishing 14th.

Herefordshire’s Annie Dennis, secured another top spot in the Juvenile Female Category and Bella Hepburn produced a sixth place finish in the same category as Frankie.

Monmouth Comprehensive pupil Bella’s success is part of a family affair – her brother Ioan Hepburn was recently crowned European Champion in track cycling.

Frankie Windebank
Frankie Windebank (Dave Price)

Frankie Windebank
Frankie Windebank (Dave Price)