It has been an eventful week for 13-year-old motorcycle racer Josh Elliott, from Ballinamallard.
Recently, Josh got a call up from the 'Red Bull Rookies Moto GP Cup' team to attend a selection event at Sachsenring race circuit, Germany.
Not wanting to miss what could be a 'once in a lifetime opportunity', hasty travel arrangements meant Elliott's team left early that Sunday to make the trip to the prestigious eastern European race circuit.
On arrival, Josh met up with 50 other young people aged from 13 to 15 from all over the world, to ride identical 125cc bikes supplied for the test by Red Bull Rookies team.
The prize at stake was a place in the Red Bull Rookies Cup at next year's world championships at each European Moto GP round, where 20 riders all compete on the same 125cc machinery supplied by Red Bull and Austrian bike manufacturer KTM.
Sachsenring is the first of two selection events, the other being held in Italy in October and the final at Paul Richard circuit, France in November.
Elliott was one of 20 UK and Irish riders invited, five of whom came from Ireland.
After being given a briefing, the riders readied themselves for the first of two 15 minute sessions on track.
This was their opportunity to show the selection team who was worthy of another look on day two.
Apart from studying lap times, the organisers watched the young riders at various parts of the track, and interviewed them on camera to note their qualities.
Despite being one of the youngest and inexperienced, the Fermanagh lad excelled himself and was the fastest rider from Ireland, and was well up on the UK best too on day one.
A total of eight UK riders were not invited back for day two, but good news for Josh as he was on the list for the second and final day.
With one 30 minute session to prove himself, Josh grabbed the opportunity despite being given a bike with very poor brakes. He again took top slot out of the Irish contingent and was in the top four UK entrants, with a stylish display on one of the world's most demanding tracks.
Relieved to have come through the process, the youngsters were debriefed by the Red Bull team. They were told that those who were successful would be informed in a week and invited to a final selection event at the south of France in November.
Depending on how many the organisers pick, the local lad has given himself a fighting chance of advancement. In any event, young Elliott has proved on an international arena that it would be difficult to ignore him when picking from the current crop of Irish and even UK talent.
Speaking at home early Monday after the tiring 2,100 mile round trip he commented, "It is just so difficult to put into words, but the experience was just awesome. If I am selected to go to the South of France, I know I will have to up my game as the international competition is so good."
