MINUTES after winning the HSBC National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bradford last Sunday, Ian Field's thoughts were already turning to the World Championships in Bieles, Luxembourg later this month.

The East Morton-based rider, who won by 34 seconds from holder Liam Killeen in the men's elite race at Peel Park, is now preparing for the big event on January 28-29.

He said: "I finished 28th last season in Belgium and it would be nice to crack the top 20 this time."

The Hargroves-Ridley-Montezuma rider certainly felt as if he had benefited from living just down the road.

Though originally from Ashford in Kent, Field moved up north three years ago and admits home advantage helped.

He said: "I rode from home to here in 15 minutes, and it will be easier going home as it is all downhill!

"I had a lot of friends and family here supporting me and it is nice to win in front of them, but I was quietly confident as I have had a good season."

There was little cheer for his partner Annie Simpson, however.

In a weekend when many of the riders were battling colds, illness forced her to pull out during the women's elite race, with the Hope Factory rider saying: "I didn't finish as I wasn't feeling very well and I am a bit gutted."

Illness also put paid to the hopes of Oakworth's Sam Moses, although he battled through to finish 13th in the junior men's race when the Oldfield-Paul Milnes Cycles ERT rider was hoping for a top-five finish had he not been under the weather.

"It was my worst race all winter," said the 16-year-old, "and I have been ill since Christmas and stopped training for about a week due to a head cold.

"Considering that, I was hoping for a top-ten finish."

Former Stockbridge resident Chris Young (Pedalsport Cycle Club) showed vintage form to win the men's veterans' race on Saturday.

He said: "I felt as strong as I have done all winter, and maybe coaching the kids to do run-ups at Marley in the Go-Ride sessions has helped me."