Edward Kennett goes for gold next week when he takes on the best young riders in the world.

The 14-year-old Eastbourne whizz-kid will be competing in the inaugural FIM individual youth gold trophy at Vojens in Denmark.

The event, effectively the world junior championship for 12 to 16 year olds, will be the first serious test for the youngster who is already being tipped for a big future in the sport.

He is one of only three British youngsters invited to compete for the trophy. The remainder of the 64-strong field come from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland and Croatia.

There are four qualifying meetings, starting on Wednes-day, providing routes for the best riders through to two semi-finals and then the final.

Explained Edward: "I don't know what to expect. I don't know any of the other riders, but I think they will be good. I am really looking forward to it, and I just aim to do my best."

Edward, whose father Dave rode for Eastbourne and uncle Gordon was world No. 2, has been burning up the Arlington track in exhibition rides for several years.

His best time is 60.3sec., which is only 5sec. slower than the track record held by Tony Rickardsson, arguably the best rider in the world, and only 2sec. or 3sec.

slower than many of the winning times currently been recorded in Elite League matches.

For the meeting in Den-mark, he will have to drop down from riding a 500cc bike to an 80cc machine, something he has not done since he was nine years old.

"That will be the most difficult part. I'm taking a couple of two-stroke Yamaha machines to Denmark, but they are harder to ride than a 500cc bike because they are harder to slide.

"I've had a couple of practice rides on them, and I've already fallen off and hurt myself."

Added his dad: "They are very quick, but I think Edward will be alright. He's been riding speedway bikes since he was seven and has ridden everything from 50cc machines up to 500cc.

"The experience of riding different bikes has helped to give brilliant throttle control. He's got good style and a lot of confidence."

The youngsters will be competing on a specially constructed track at Vojens, Denmark's No. 1 stadium and venue for the Danish Grand Prix.

Next month Edward has been chosen to ride for Great Britain in an under-16 international in Germany, and when he reaches his 15th birthday on August 28 he will be eligible to compete in the Conference League.

He cannot ride in the Elite or Premier Leagues until he is 16, and the plan is for him to ride for Rye House in the Conference for at least a year before throwing his hat into the ring for Eastbourne.

Edward hit the headlines when he won the first British under-16 championship at Arlington when he was just ten years old, scoring a 15-point maximum and beating boys five and six years older.

Then he was riding a 125cc, and he has since completed a hat-trick of title victories aboard a 250cc at Iwade in Kent and last year on a 500cc at Lydd.

The youngster, who lives at Magham Down and attends Ringmer Community College, is already being heralded as Britain's best hope for a future world champion.

Edward himself has his feet firmly on the ground.

He also plays soccer and rugby and goes fishing, and he says: "I enjoy speedway, but there is a long to go. At the moment, I want to ride for Eastbourne and do my best."