FORMER Cononley resident Ian Taylor picked up a prize at the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association celebratory dinner on Saturday at the Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford.

The veteran, who now lives in Skipton, was handed a Yorkshire cyclo-cross top as part of his reward for winning the men's veterans' over-40s category in the Kinesis Winter Series.

Taylor won the rounds at Bedale, Skipton, New College (Huddersfield), Thornes Park and Shibden.

Former Keighley resident Chris Young, who now lives in Shipley, won the men's over-50s category, despite missing the New College and Yorksport rounds.

Young, who has had health issues recently, won the Middleton, Bedale, Skipton, Thornes Park, Shibden and Myrtle Park races.

Other champions included Amira Mellor (senior women), Jack Clarkson (senior men), Billy Harding (under-23 men), Matt Taylor (junior men), Ben Houlihan (under-16 boys), Chloe Hinchliffe (under-16 girls), Riley Blackmore (under-14 girls) and Hermione Pickering (under-14 girls).

The big winner on the night, however, was Bingley's Marie Jackson.

She received a national champions's jersey for over-50 women and was also the latest inductee into the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association's Hall of Fame.

Master of Ceremonies Matt Payne, who illuminates National Championship and National Trophy races at Peel Park with his running commentaries, said of Jackson: "Marie was riding when there were only one, two or three veteran women in races, and now there are 30, and hopefully there will be more.

"The veteran women rightly wanted their own races (rather than being a sub-category of the women's race), and the fact that they have pushed for this now means that from next season every National Trophy venue will host a two-day event rather than a one-day event.

"This means that everyone will be riding against their peers."

An emotional Jackson, whose partner is Chris Young, said of the Hall of Fame induction: "It is a reward for all of my hard work but it is a real surprise and a great honour.

"Chris did a fantastic job in the pits for me."