"THAT was vintage Chris Young," purred former Three Peaks organiser John Rawnsley at the HSBC National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bradford on Saturday.

The Shipley rider had just won the men's veterans' race at a warmer than usual Peel Park, and confessed: "I felt as strong as I have done all winter."

However, Young (Pedalsport CC) had to come from behind, passing the fast-starting Pete Middleton (Zepnat) before running clear and extending his advantage to 16 seconds on the closing lap.

The former Keighley resident had the edge on the cambered incline – one of the few places where riders had to think about carrying their bikes – and said: "I have been practising run-ups when I coach the kids at Marley, so maybe that helped.

“It went to plan for the first time this winter and I did what I wanted to do. I was happy to stay in second for the first few laps and then make my move.

"I practiced here yesterday (Friday) and I was pretty confident but the other guys have been beating me, so I was hoping for a podium. A win is out of this world really.”

Even more emphatic was Ian Field's victory in the men's elite race on Sunday, the Hargroves-Ridley-Montezuma rider triumphing by 34 seconds from Liam Killeen (Malvern Cycle Sport).

The East Morton man said: "It took me 15 minutes to ride here but it will take me less to ride back as it is virtually all downhill!

"It is fantastic to win in front of family and friends but I was quietly confident after a good season.

"Now I want to crack the top 20 in the World Championships later this month after finishing 21st last year."

Former Bingley man Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) was 12th but had lifted the men's 40-44 years' category the day before ahead of Skipton's Ian Taylor (C and N Cycles RT), while Eldwick's Sophie Thackray (Oldfield-Paul Milnes Cycles ERT) - girlfriend of men's under-23 winner Billy Harding - was runner-up in the under-18 girls' race.