Stunt star MacAskill up for top action award

Scottish stunt cyclist Danny MacAskill, whose eye-watering tricks on YouTube made him globally famous, is up for a prestigious award, joining the likes of Lance Armstrong and Jenson Button.

The 24-year-old street-rider has been nominated for the Action Sportsperson of the Year Category in the Laureus World Sports Awards. The award ceremony is on March 10 in Abu Dhabi.

He became famous almost overnight through last April’s Youtube video, filmed and edited by Dave Sowerby, his Edinburgh roommate. From then on he became known as the man who rode the spiked metal railing.

He said: “It’s crazy being nominated for this award. I mean there are many amazing other athletes that won the biggest competitions in their sport, and I was just doing what I love, riding my bike and a bit of filming.

“I am also looking forward to visit Abu Dhabi.”

MacAskill started riding bikes when he was four. He left school at 17 and moved to Aviemore to fulfil an ambition to work at Bothy Bikes while living with his aunt Jean Hamilton.

Three years ago he moved to Edinburgh and took a mechanic’s job at MacDonald Cycles. In 2008, MacAskill and his friend, Iain Withers, formed The Clan, an all-Scottish stunt cycle team that began performing at trade shows, events and schools, where he stresses the importance of road safety, bike maintenance and learning to ride properly.

Lance Armstrong has been nominated for the Comeback of the Year award, where he'll be up against Kim Clijsters (Tennis), Jessica Ennis (Athletics), Brett Favre (American Football), Blanka Vlasic (Athletics) and Tom Watson (Golf).