BMX riding has been known as an "underground sport", but following the Olympics it has been “put it on the map for life” says Bournemouth’s national champion Brynley Savage.

That is in part thanks to his girlfriend Bethany Shriever who bagged a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics for Team GB.

And the 22-year-old rider, who trains at Iford, is aiming to reach world heights himself.

For Brynley, winning the recent National Series, which was held in Scotland, in the male category for 17-24-year-olds was a culmination of years of hard work.

He said: “It's been a long time coming, I’ve had second place for a good few years.

“It's taken me five years, but I just kept on pushing and training, believing in the process.

“It was a great feeling and good to know that what I’m doing in training is working.”

Usually the BMX rider, who currently works in operation support for an IT company, trains at Iford in the week and then again with his girlfriend Beth when he sees her on the weekends; having met through the sport.

“I met her at a race, she was better than me at the time.

“It was hard because we were young and we did not talk for about six years then one day we started talking again and it was perfect.

“With her living in Essex and training in Manchester it is hard but that is why I work to see her, but it is hard during the week.”

Thanks to the efforts of Bethany and Kye Whyte, who won silver for Team GB in the men’s BMX category, Brynley hopes it will “make the sport grow” because “it is hidden and so underrated.”

He added: “The Olympics has changed the history of the sport because everyone will remember that and a lot of children will look up to it.”

The Bournemouth rider was watching with Beth’s family when he saw his girlfriend, adding “it was an emotional and intense experience” watching her at the “pinnacle."

In terms of his own goals he said: “To be the world champ and the Euro champ is a dream of mine and I won’t give up.

“I trust the process and will keep believing and I will get there.”