Motocross marvel Marc Popperwell is raring to go in 2001.

The Hedge End teenager (pictured) has just secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Husky Sports, based in Cheriton, Winchester, who have supplied him with a Husqvarna 125 bike.

Popperwell raced it for the first time as a professional in Pro Class 125 at the Exeter supercross recently and declared; "It's a fabulous bike. It really is great and I'm sure that it will help me to get to the top of my sport."

The promising 18-year-old made it through to the semi-finals at Exeter and he will then compete in the National Under-21 series which starts sometime in March before going racing in the South-West Association.

Marc fell in love with motocross when he was just six. "I used to go to Wimborne First Primary School with my friend Daniel Mound and he raced with my father Les," recalled Popperwell.

As a 12-year-old, Marc won the Poole & Parkstone Championship in 1994 and was runner-up just two years later before moving to Hedge End four years ago where he went to Wyvern School.

Last year, Marc finished a highly respectable sixth in the All British Championship 2000 and was 12th overall in the Best of British Championship 2000.

The success is helping young Popperwell to secure more sponsorship deals and X Elite of Bournemouth provide him with Muck Off. And, just like that Ronseal advert, it does exactly what it says on the can!

"It's a kind of de-greaser for getting all the mud off my bike," confirmed Popperwell, who loves his football and supports the Cherries.

Marc works as an apprentice car mechanic for Viking Rover in Hedge End and he added: "My ambition is to ride to the top of my ability, I know I have a lot of work to do but I'm sure that this bike can help me do it."