2009 BRITISH BYMX champ Josh Waterman has endured a tough year.

The 19-year-old (pictured) has gone from being the biggest fish in the youth motocross pool to struggling for recognition in the senior classes.

However, there's renewed optimism for 2011.

In 2009, Josh clinched the BYMX crown and the British MXY2 Motocross Championship in the same year.

The sport's governing body, the ACU, put the Coleford teenager under the wing of national academy coach and ex-Grand Prix rider Mark Hucklebridge.

Last season, Josh signed a deal to make his senior debut as part of the Swedish Buffhusqcarne team, but it didn't work out. His dad Phil explained: "The bike broke down in five out of six races. We maintained a good relationship with the team, but decided to move on. We were supposed to pay £15,000 to get out of the contract but we left on good terms without paying the money."

Josh was quickly snapped up by the Scottish-based Moto One team, but a broken ankle curtailed a miserable season early.

Phil added: "Stepping up to the seniors is tough, but we're hoping for a much better 2011.

"Josh is back on a bike he loves, a 250 four-stroke KTM, and he's training hard.

"We're aiming for the top five in the British Championship. If Josh can achieve that, he'll make enough money to have a career in the sport."

In the meantime, Josh is working part-time for his dad, cleaning commercial vehicles, while spending two days per week on the bike.

In January, he's off to Spain for winter training with his team before the season starts all over again in March.

Josh followed his father into motocross at the age of six, despite being profoundly deaf.

He won the Motorcycle Industry Association's outstanding achievement award in 2002 and for many years was part of the Kawasaki Team Green set-up.

In 2003, he helped England win the Youth Des Nations.

He has been part of the ACU Academy since 2006.

He has met his hero Travis Pastrana twice, appeared on Blue Peter and also had a book and short film made about him.