BROMSGROVE Olympique Cycling Club's Alex Billington faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the new West Midlands cyclo cross season.

Billington crashed heavily while racing at Lilleshall National Sports Centre last Saturday and suffered injuries to both hands, including a suspected fractured wrist. He aims to be fit for the cyclo cross league, starting on Sunday, September 21.

Last Wednesday, Billington finished fourth in the opening floodlight cyclo-cross event of the season at Rugby, also being the first junior home.

He also won the Devil take the hindmost race in the Halesowen track league last Friday.

Elsewhere, Ross Dingley won a race at Halesowen and finished fourth junior at Rugby cyclo cross. Genevieve Billington took a second place in the Freewheelers 'A' group at Halesowen and Francine Billington finished first lady in the cyclo cross.

Last week also saw the last session of Glenys Blackmoor's bike skills at Catshill Meadow. More than a dozen youngsters improved their bike handling over the summer holidays.

All children, aged between five and 12, were awarded certificates.