KIDDERMINSTER downhill racer Scott Beaumont is hoping to be upwardly mobile in the 2006 season by breaking into the world top five.

Beaumont has recently agreed a sponsorship deal to work out with personal trainers at JJB Sports in Kidderminster.

And he is hoping his intense training regime will help him improve his current ranking on 13th in the world.

Beaumont will be competing in 4X and Downhill events at the 2006 Mountain Bike World Cup and the UK National Series.

He will also be attending as many local, grass root events as possible.

"I have a lot of goals for 2006 and being in peak fitness will help me achieve the results that I want," said Beaumont, who is a former two times world BMX champion.

"Training can be hard work, but now I can't wait to get down to the gym and get working".

Gym manager Ross Simpson is delighted to be able to support the rider.

He said: "Having an athlete like Scott in the gym will boost local awareness not only for him but also the sport of mountain biking and the JJB brand."

WYRE Forest Cycle Racing club's Dan Harding bounced back from missing the National Cyclo Cross championships at Sutton Park due to illness to race to a superb second place in round 10 of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League at Curborough.

Harding recorded his best result of the series so far, putting in a superb effort to chase the overall series leader MI Racing's Steve Knight and leaving the rest of the field trailing in their wake.

Elliott Dinsdale produced another fantastic display of bike handling skills on the technical course in the cold, testing conditions, only to puncture on the last lap.

He still managed to hold on to cross the line in 11th place to maintain his high fourth position in the overall league standings, ahead of Harding who is now sixth.

Wyre Forest riders Phil Blacker and Matt Ashcroft are 13th and 14th respectively in the league with two rounds remaining.

In the junior competition, Pete Banham is currently in eighth position despite missing the last few rounds.

The clubs annual prize presentation will take place at the George Hotel, Bewdley on Saturday, February 11 with further details from Chris Morris on 07711 988095.

The district's riders will be in action on the local roads when Wyre Forest CRC promote their Reliability Trial on February 19.

The event will follow an undulating 60 mile course from Kidderminster to Leominster via Tenbury Wells and return, leaving Fabricolor Ltd, Foley Business Park, Stourport Road at 10am.

The trial is open to all riders and further details can be obtained from David Prior on 01299 266850 or by visiting www.wfcrc.org.uk