MOST of Malvern's top cyclists were in action across the globe competing in top events and leading the way were mountain bikers Tracey Moseley and Liam Killeen who were in Vail, Colorado, competing at a very emotional World Mountain Bike Championships.

After the atrocities of earlier in the week, the whole event was run off in a rather more sombre affair than is usually associated with mountain bikers.

Tracey, competing in the hair raising downhill event managed to take ninth place. Her run took just over 4.30 minutes where timings are taken down to 100ths of a second to separate competitors, meaning the slightest mistake or baggy jersey can make all the difference.

Liam, competed in the Under 23 men's cross country event, the proving ground for the stars of tomorrow and those looking for professional contracts.

With the race due to take place on the National Day of Mourning in America, it was postponed until the Sunday and the disruption coupled with competing with riders three years his senior proved too much and Liam was unable to finish on what was a very demanding course held at several thousand feet above sea level.

Tim Wood and Jonathan Stedman travelled across to Sawtry in Cambridgeshire to take part in the national ten mile time trial championship.

Tim raced in the men's champs and Jon, the under 18's category. Both raced well in an event where seconds separated the competitors, although finishing in 20th place from a field of 120, Tim was just 50 seconds away from a medal.

Jonathan, representing Malvern club, VC Sevale, took a well deserved tenth place also just 45 seconds off a medal. He now heads off to Nottingham University where he will be studying medicine.

Also on the time trial front Ceris Gilfillan raced in an international race in France.

On a very flat and exposed course not suited to Ceris' strengths she struggled to control her bike in the strong winds and on a wet and greasy corner she came down and damaged her racing bike and had to change to her spare road bike, not entirely suited to the event. However she battled on to take a creditable fifth place in a small but classy field.

The only cyclist to race in a road race, James Gilfillan took on the mighty Tour of the Peak.

It is held on some of the most challenging roads in the Peak District, including the five mile Snake Pass climb from Glossop towards the Ladybower Reservoirs, and the one in six climb to Bradwell out of the Hope Valley. Each climb was covered on both of the two laps.

After the first ascent of Snake, James was competitively positioned at the head of the race. By the time the race hit the long climb for the second time the race had regrouped and split again leaving James chasing in a small group, which was unable to make any headway against the strong men at the front

Struggling over the last ten miles, James finished a fair 35th place out of 145 starters, many of whom were pulled out after one lap for being over five minutes behind the leaders.

With the end of the season rapidly approaching Malvern's cyclists will be winding down for the winter and would all like to thank their sponsors, Kona and Ford, the WCPP funded by the National Lottery, York Cycleworks and Trek, Dudley Construction and Merry Hill Shopping Centre.