Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed Lancashire rider Tom Carne as the winner of its 2013 Young Guns competition.

After six months of hard work, three finalists Tom Carne, Matt Shillings and Max Alexander went head-to-head at Donington Park during the finale of the Thundersport Series (26/27 October). After a tough final selection process, the judging panel voted Carne the overall winner, giving him the title of Triumph Young Gun 2013.

As the winner of the 2013 Triumph Young Guns scheme, Tom will qualify for a factory-supported ride in the Triumph Triple Challenge in 2014. Aged 20, Tom hails from Rossendale, Lancashire and earlier this year won the Motostar Championship (125GP class), having previously raced in the Thundersport GB Aprilia RRV 450 Challenge.

The last six months have seen all of the Triumph Young Guns take part in a variety of seminar sessions designed to help develop their racing careers both on and off the track. Delivered by a series of industry experts, the seminars focused on issues such as personal fitness, sports psychology, racecraft, bike set-up/development and marketing/promotion.

“I am absolutely over the moon to have been chosen as the winner of the 2013 Triumph Young Guns scheme and am very excited to be competing in the Triumph Triple Challenge next year. The Young Guns scheme has been a big part of my life over the last few months and has enabled me to learn huge amounts – both off and on the track," said Carne.

“I’d like to say well done to the other finalists, Matt Shillings and Max Alexander, who have both given their all over the last few weeks running up to the final. I’m delighted to have won, but gutted for them as I know how much their racing means to them.”

As well as demonstrating impressive racing talent, all three finalists displayed an infectious enthusiasm for their craft and an excellent work ethic. However, the commitment shown over the last six months by Tom, combined with his performance at Donington, gave him the edge over the two other finalists.