A mountain biker has been crowned world cup champion.

Josh Bryceland, 24, who started out riding off-road around Poynton, came third in the France leg of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cup series on Saturday.

The podium finish was enough for him to win the downhill mountain biking world cup championship.

It is his biggest achievement since winning the junior world title in 2008.

After two days of celebrations, Josh is en route to Hafjell in Norway for a one-off race for the World Championships.

Josh, who is nicknamed Rat-Boy on the circuit, said: “Going into the last race I knew I was in a great position – I just had to keep it together. I was nervous. It’s a year’s worth of work on the line. I didn’t feel like I had rode well but I got third, which was enough. The World Championship is now my focus. The World Championship is all or nothing.”

Josh’s victory was watched by his dad, Iain, who travelled to France for the final event in the series. Fans dressed in Josh masks and invaded the podium at the end of the race.

Josh said: “The crowd were crazy. Never had a reaction like that. It was unbelievable.”

Josh, who lives on a canal boat in Higher Poynton, grew up in Poynton with dad, mum Louisa and sister Maria.

He was inspired from a young age by his dad who raced motocross and introduced him to former mountain biking world champ Steve Peat.

Because of the limited hills in Poynton, Josh spent a lot of time training in the Peak District and travelling to North Wales.

The extreme sports fan has suffered injuries including a dislocated hip and broken collar bone.

He has travelled the world with his California-based Santa Cruz Syndicate racing team – visiting South Africa, Australia, Canada and the United States so far this year.

Despite his success Josh doesn’t anticipate any dramatic change to his lifestyle.

He said: “There will be no big move to a city centre apartment or anything like that, I am happy living on my boat and keep my feet on the ground.”