Oakworth’s Alfie Moses fought back from problems at the start to claim a podium spot in the under-16 boys’ race at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Moses (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic) was a victim of thick mud over the tarmac at the Moorways Leisure Centre in Derby as a loss of traction saw him go from the front of the grid to last place.

He revealed: “I remembered what Seth Smith, who coaches all the Yorkshire riders at Marley, had said to me before the start, which was not to panic whatever happened, because that is when you make mistakes.

“I managed to overtake several riders on every corner and was soon back up to fourth, but I had used up a lot of energy. My ambition then was just to get on the podium.”

Eventually he reeled in his pal David Barnes (Condor Cycles) to take third behind Dan Tulett (Hargroves Cycles) and Joshua Waters (Sherwood Pines Cycles).

“That’s my winter season over now,” added Moses. “I won’t bother with the road. I will go for the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross Series, which I think begins in May.”

Jedi Cycle Sport team-mates Ian Taylor, from Cononley, and Andy Peace, from Haworth, were second and third in the veteran men’s 40-49 years’ race.

Nick Craig (Team Scott) was an emphatic winner, although the initial leaders were Crispin Doyle (Hargroves Cycles), Taylor and Darren Atkins (Team Jewson) before Craig, Atkins and Taylor upped the pace.

However, Atkins retired coming through the pits on the second lap, apparently due to sickness, which allowed Peace to climb to third, with Pete Middleton (www.Zepnat.com RT-Kuota-GSG) in close pursuit on his way to fourth.

Former Keighley resident Chris Young (Pedalsport CC) was fifth, his clubmate and brother Mike was 18th and Oxenhope’s Matt Denby (Team Jewson-MI-Thule-Polypipe) 25th.

Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic) was third among the veteran women, and fellow Bingleyite Rob Jebb was ninth in the men’s race and helped Team Hope Factory Racing win their team race.

Young’s team were second among the veterans, while Bingley’s Robert Watson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic) was 19th in the men’s race.