Motocross rider Brad Todd is hoping to build on last year's performances as he prepares for the start of the 2017 season.

Todd, from Wigton, finished sixth in the Maxxis ACU MX2 British Motocross Championship last year.

And he will start his 2017 campaign, which begins at Culham Moto Park in Abingdon on March 12, as one of the favourites.

The Cumbrian admitted he was pleased with his performances during 2016.

He said: "Last year was probably the best year I have had."

But Todd, who trains full-time, has bigger long-term goals in mind.

He added: "The goal is always to be the best. I would love to be champion of the world one day."

Although only 20, Todd has already been riding for well over a decade.

"I have been doing it for about 15 years," he said. "I have been doing it full-time for two or three years."

The Wigton racer believes you have to be a professional to compete at the level he is at.

Todd said: "You cannot work and do the biking. You cannot work and then go to a race.

"I used to work when I was 17 and ride as well but it was just too tiring.

"When I was working, I was doing a 10-hour shift and then going to the gym. It was not fun and it was not helping."

Todd also revealed he would like to repay his parents who have helped him to get to where he is today.

He said: "They have done stupid hours at work to get me where I am. It would be great to give something back to them."

The Cumbrian was recently named a working class hero by Dirt Bike Magazine and, when asked if that had helped, he said: "That definitely did.

"I got a lot of calls and emails after that. I am getting all my gear covered.

"It is the travel and the food and things like that I struggle with."