TROWBRIDGE mountain biker Ash Brown is hoping to make the first leap towards a national title when this year’s British 4X series kicks off in Cheshire this weekend.

The 26-year-old is competing in his third successive season in the senior section of the national championship.

After seeing his previous campaign curtailed by a shoulder injury, Brown aims to make up for lost time, starting with the opening round at Hale’s Superbole park on Sunday.

“I always used to do downhill racing but back in 2004, I heard about Katy Curd (Box’s 2013 4x Pro Tour and Elite national series champion) switching to 4x and when I learned what it was, I thought ‘I’d like to have a go at that’,” said Brown, who works as a gas engineer.

“I did my first season as an amateur and last year, things were going well until I went to Fort William (for the British round of the Pro Tour).

“In practice, I came down a jump and my shoulder didn’t feel right. When I went to go again, I just couldn’t and it turned out that I’d torn the ligaments.

“That injury really messed things up for me but hopefully, I want to win some races and try to finish top of the standings overall – I’m in my third year now and I think that I can do it.”

Brown rides for Curtis Bikes and is also sponsored by Charge clothing company and Loam9 media.

FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WTSport