WORCESTER’S Simon Wyllie clinched the biggest victory of his young career in dramatic style to be crowned national cyclo-cross under 16 champion.

The former Tudor Grange Academy pupil, 15, looked likely to take silver medal around a treacherous circuit in Sunderland’s Hetton Lyons Country Park until a storming final lap saw him catch the lone leader and sprint to victory.

But Wyllie was kept waiting for over an hour to be finally crowned champion after a race appeal from the silver medallist saw the results suspended until his victory was confirmed.

The Halesowen A&CC rider capped a fantastic season which has seen him dominate his age category in the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League.

The favourite for the national title, Oliver Stockwell (Welwyn Wheelers CC), was second.

As Stockwell crossed the line, he said he wasn’t aware it was the final lap and launched an appeal.

“It was a very tough final lap. I thought I was quite far back and heard the last lap bell so thought I would give it full gas for a lap,” said Wyllie.

“Ollie slipped on one of the corners behind a lapped rider so I managed to catch him and sprinted off.

“Then Ollie managed to catch me back and pass me. Down on one of the last corners Ollie slipped and so I sprinted away and got to the finish first.

“I didn’t expect it as last week in the National Trophy I was third, which was my highest ever national place, so coming first was so unexpected.

“It’s my first national win so it being the national championships is very special.

“I wasn’t too sure as I knew I had heard a last lap bell and hearing that Ollie didn’t hear a bell I was quite confused. I’m really chuffed.”