HAVING only taken up downhill mountain biking competitively in August, Bailey Meares has headed to New Zealand to compete at a world-famous event.
He is no relation to cycling celebrity Anna Meares, but at just 14 years old Bailey is making a name for himself.
The Sheldon College student finished fourth in his first downhill mountain bike race at Toowoomba last year.
Two races later he came third at the Queensland Downhill MTB Championships.
His dream of competing internationally received a boost when he picked up a sponsorship with Giant Bicycles at Ipswich.
Bailey's chance to compete on the international stage comes after he won a pump challenge event at Thredbo in December.
He also placed in the top 10 from more than 90 competitors in the Cannonball Downhill.
On Monday he headed off to New Zealand for the world's biggest mountain bike festival Crankworx Rotorua.
There he will compete in the dual slalom for 13 to 18 year olds and the downhill event for under 16s.
His mother Angie Meares said Bailey wanted to see where he placed against some of the best riders in the world.
"Overall, it will be an amazing experience and one he is really looking forward to," she said.
Mrs Meares said Bailey had enjoyed riding bikes since he could get his leg over one.
"He started racing BMX as a 10-year-old and has made state finals for the last two years," she said.
"Having gone riding with his dad on mountain bike trails it was inevitable that he would want to try racing."
Bailey has competed in mountain biking events since he was young.
He also races BMX at a very high level.
"He will go to the nationals for BMX this year as well," Mrs Meares said.
Mrs Meares said her son put in hard work, training about 18 hours a week.
He also had to get school assessments done a week early, before heading off to New Zealand.
"He just loves it, he is committed to the sport and is good at it," Mrs Meares said.
Mrs Meares said downhill mountain bike racing was not for the faint-hearted.
Riders have to be at least 14 years old to compete and wear safety gear like a neck brace.
"I stay at home and hope," she said. "His father rides with him but can't keep up with him anymore."
Mrs Meares said Bailey loved the speed and adrenaline rush and hoped to turn professional.
"He would like to see how far he can get," she said.
Bailey will compete in the national mountain biking titles in Melbourne in April.
He hoped to take part in the other events that are part of the Crankworx World Tour.