I’ve been holding out as usual with no planned cyclocross racing activity whilst I built up my bike carrying and endurance for the Three Peaks – the race that never was. I adjusted my mind to faster, shorter races over the last week and realised that I needed to get some fast racing in before the National Trophy races start.

They don’t come much faster than the course today at Silcoates School in Wakefield. The only race on within driving distance, it was a good job as a race to get my 2007/08 account opened. The field was very strong and I was pleased with my eventual 12th place – it could have been 7th if I’d have had a bit in the bag at the end for a sprint, but it was an odd end to the race and the group I’d been locked in from about ten minutes in fought it out in what was a protracted sprint; I came out on the bad side of it! Never mind – a good work out.

What was very encouraging was to see my team mate Rob (Jebb) whipping the pace up and riding off to win the race easily; a course people would drearily say wasn’t suited to Rob (no mud, no run ups, hardly any climbing), but his strength was never in doubt. Team down sides were the no-show of Lewis – also on blistering form – and Stuart – on an enforced lay-off with tendinitis.

The dry, fast grassy circuit meant the bike didn’t even need the slightest wipe down after the race… I’ll enjoy that while it lasts! The Columbuses (the twins) never missed a beat – just got to focus on getting the legs in the same form!!