GEORGE Bate became the second Bromsgrove Olympique Cycling Club rider to need hospital treatment in a week.

The 13-year-old was catapulted through the air after losing control of his bike on a steep gravel bank just a few hundred yards from the finish line at the National Cyclo-Cross Championship at Sutton Park, Birmingham, last Saturday.

He hurt both legs, his hip and shoulder and was taken to hospital after being carried to the finish to claim a place in the top half of the field. Fortunately he sustained no broken bones.

Last week, 19-year-old Francine Billington was taken to hospital by helicopter in Northampton after injuring her leg. She is still out of action.