A talented Teesside youngster who balanced college studies with international competition has been crowned motorcycle trials world champion.
Harison Skelton, 18, from Ingleby Barwick, secured the 2026 Trial3 World Championship in Zelhem at the TrialGP of the Netherlands.
The rider spent years working towards this achievement, travelling across Europe to represent Great Britain in Andorra, Italy, France and the Netherlands.
While Harison pursued his sporting ambitions on the international stage, he also worked towards a qualification and prepared for a career closer to home.
Harison studied Electrical Engineering at Middlesbrough College, where support and flexibility from his tutors helped him fit his education around a demanding schedule of training, travelling and international competition.
He successfully completed his BTEC qualification last year and has since been working alongside his cousin renovating homes and buildings across the region.
Harison said: “Middlesbrough College gave me the opportunity to follow my passion while also gaining the qualifications I needed to build a career.
“The tutors were incredible. They understood how much training and travelling I had to do and worked with me so I could fit my education around competing.
“That support meant a lot because I didn’t have to choose between getting my qualification and chasing my dream of becoming a world champion. I was able to do both.”
Harison’s passion for motorcycle trials began when he was just seven, inspired by his father.
He later joined Guisborough Motor Club, which has supported him as he progressed through the British Youth Championships and eventually onto the world stage.
That journey has seen the Teesside rider achieving his childhood ambition and bringing a world championship title back to the region.
Despite his international success, Harison has also made sure he has the skills and qualifications to build a career away from the sport, something he says was made possible by the support he received at Middlesbrough College.
John Cooke, Associate Director of TTE, part of Middlesbrough College, said: “Everyone at Middlesbrough College is incredibly proud of Harison. Becoming a world champion is a phenomenal achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication he has shown over many years.
“What makes Harison’s story particularly special is the commitment he showed to his education alongside competing internationally.
“We know that our students have ambitions and commitments outside of College, and our job is to help them achieve their potential. By working with Harison and giving him the flexibility and support he needed, he was able to continue his studies while competing at the very highest level.
“To see him now achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, while also having a qualification and career to fall back on, is fantastic. We can’t wait to see what he achieves next.”
