BROMSGROVE Olympique Cycling Club's prize presentation evening was well supported last Saturday at the DDS and S Club where chips, beer and skittles were on the menu -- back to the diet and more training next week!

Alex Billington was the most prolific trophy winner, taking juvenile awards for road, track, time-trial and best-all rounder. He also won the Hill Climb Trophy open to all categories of rider, with Ross Dingley taking the Tilt Cup for the juvenile hill climb. Another young rider making his mark on the sport was Gavin Ballantyne who won the Gerry Calcutt Shield for most improved rider.

Several other young riders took medals for their efforts in races during 2000, including Will and Laura Goulbourne, Michael Hartnett, Genevieve Billington, Natalie Ballantyne, Jason Dingley, Peter Yates, Emily Seal and Jack Barnes.

Senior and veteran best-all rounder trophies were awarded to Alan Dyus and Ian Billington respectively. Geoff Dingley took the Mudpluggers Shield for Cyclo-Cross and Mike Cooper the trophy for mountain biking. Nicky Height retained the Junior Crossman Shield and Phil Blacker the Road Race Trophy. Francine Billington added Female Road and Time-Trial trophies to her silverware collection. The final award was the Wooden Spoon given this year to Dave Goulbourne for sterling work rather than the stirring with which the award is normally associated.

On the racing scene, Alex, Francine and Ian Billington took part in the National Area Team Cyclo-Cross Competition in Bristol, riding for the West Midlands Area. Alex was well placed early in the race but a viral infection and a seriously mud-clogged bike caused him to throw in the towel halfway through. Ian also suffered with a totally clogged bike and a broken shoe on the first lap to trail in at the back of the field. Francine fared best with a fifth place in the women's event, helping the West Midlands team to take the gold medals. Despite not finishing, Alex's three team-mates helped him take a podium place and a bronze medal in the youth championship.

This weekend sees a large contingent of club members riding the boards at Manchester Velodrome on Saturday and the mud of Milton Keynes on Sunday.