CYCLING: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club's Joe Rowe has been crowned national champion at 50 to 55-year-old level.

Rowe won his category at the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists' National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and took overall silver medal.

On a muddy course, the rider put in 40 minutes of hard racing to finish second behind overall over-40s winner Nick Wood, of South Pennine Racing Club.

Mick Gray was fourth in the 65 to 68 year-old age group in his first cyclo-cross race for 33 years.

In the National Cyclo-Cross Championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham, Rowe was still suffering with a cold.

He began the veterans' over-50s section under par and although up with the leaders on the first lap, Rowe was caught in a crash and finished 14th.

Meanwhile, Phil Blacker had a hard time in the Elite Men's Championship in a quality field, finishing 51st.

The Wyre Forest club host a reliability trial on Sunday, January 25, leaving from Stourport Sports Club at 10am and heading to Ludlow, via Great Witley and Tenbury.

For more details, call Alan Griffiths on 01299 826987.