A HARD time was had by all at the tenth round of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League on Sunday January 6.

On an unforgiving exposed hillside Bromsgrove Olympique's riders pulled out all the stops to keep ahead in the team competition, competing against many new riders who usually ride in the highly regarded Notts and Derby League.

In the U12s, Olympique youngsters were off form with Craig Talbot, suffering from a cold, slipping to an unusual seventh but Genny Billington braved a chest infection to finish second while Jason Dingley took the first U8s place.

In the youth event Alex Billington finished fourth, Olympique's best placing, having held second spot for around a quarter of the race until he was knocked off his bike. Will Goulbourne felt ill on the first lap but recovered to eighth place with Peter Banham and Ross Dingley finishing 13th and 15th respectively and Chris McDonald in 16th.

A 75-strong field in the Combined Seniors, Veterans, Ladies and Juniors event saw Rob Twigg up against many nationally recognised star vets, acquitting himself well to take fourth vet.

Rob Greenaway was third grand vet, Ian Billington fourth and Mike Cooper fifth.

Martin Barnett was sixth senior vet and Geoff Dingley tenth.

Gerry Blackmoor was third grand master veteran and Francine Billington first junior lady despite breaking her seat pin and Heather Wilcox was second.

Senior riders Steve Talbot and Luke Twigg both performed well to finish in 22nd and 24th places.

The penultimate round of the league will see Bromsgrove Olympique hoping to wrap up the team competition at Milton Keynes.