A DEPLETED Bromsgrove Olympique team took part in the Midlands Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships at the weekend in Leicestershire.

There were no Bromsgrove under-12s but the youth category looked set to produce a medal winner in Will Goulbourne.

Unfortunately, while holding second place, he took a bend onto some concrete steps too quickly and fell heavily, losing lots of time while straightening his bike.

He rode painfully on to finish tenth. Peter Banham also rode very well to grab 16th and third under-14.

A field of 60 took part in the juniors, veterans and ladies event. Rob Twigg rode a superb race to take tenth overall and fourth vet.

Rob Greenaway broke the rear gear off his bike on the first lap and he was forced to run nearly a mile to his spare bike.

He did well to finish 35th. Mike Cooper was five places further back and Gerry Blackmore was 48th.

Luke Twigg was Bromsgrove's only senior event rider. He finished 29th - quite good considering nearly a third of the entrants didn't finish at all.

Several other riders took the opportunity to take part in a club event. Chris MacDonald survived well on his first Olympique outing despite breaking his gear lever. It left him in top gear for the last few miles.

Next week sees a return to Aldersley Leisure Village, in Wolverhampton, where a full Bromsgrove side will contest the eighth round of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross league.

Team competition leaders Wolverhampton Wheelers will be keen to take advantage of their home course.

If you are keen to join Olympique, call Ian on (01527) 833847.