A FRACTURED spine was not enough to stop cycle speedway starlet Chloe Albin taking part in the sport she loves.

That was one of two major injuries the 12-year-old Cranborne Middle School pupil sustained in the heat of battle.

Prior to that, she was left with a mystery arm problem following a spill in Southampton, which consigned her to months on the sidelines.

But neither of these injuries ultimately kept Albin away from the Harbourside Raceway circuit of Poole Cycle Speedway Club, where she is a keen member.

That said, she openly admits that the T12 compression fracture and stretched ligament she sustained in a crash in East Newport nearly caused her to quit the sport.

“I was trying to overtake someone on the inside but I slipped and fell. I’ve never had pain like it,” she said.

“I was too scared to do cycle speedway for a while after that and before the start of this season, I was going to quit.

“But in the end I was determined to get back on a bike and get better at racing.

“I did that and I’m glad I did. Even when I get hurt now, it doesn’t put me off.”

Albin’s determination is clear to see. She regularly races those up to five years her senior and still hates getting beaten.

Perhaps that is why some have tipped her for success in the British Championships which take place in Edinburgh next month, with the under-13 girls’ title one of many up for grabs.

But for the Cranborne-based youngster, any success she has on the track is down to those around her more than herself.

“I would like to get on the podium at the British Championships and hopefully first,” she said.

“The only thing that has got me to this point is the support I’ve had from the people around me. Without them I couldn’t have done it.

“My stepdad, Nick, brings me here every week and the most important person has probably been my brother Callum, who helps me with my riding.

“Everyone at the club has helped me and I’m really grateful to them.”

Albin is looking for sponsors to help her push on in cycle speedway. For more information, email info@poolecsc.com or tweet @PooleCSC.