THERE was a tremendous turnout of Bromsgrove Olympique riders at the first West Midlands cycle cross event at Solihull, run by Red Kite Cycles.

The youth event was first off, with the best youth riders from the club competing. Will Goldbourne had his usual fast start. However, he began to suffer with breathing difficulties and didn't have his asthma inhaler with him, losing many places before a replacement inhaler was found.

He still rode well to catch many riders and finished 12th. Alex Billington hadn't even got a cyclo-cross bike or mountain bike ready in time so rode on his trial machine with tiny gearing and too low saddle.

He put up a serious fight to finish best Olympique rider in sixth place.

Ross Dingley was next in eighth place. Peter Banham, riding his first event for many weeks following his broken wrist, finished a creditable 13th and third under-14. Peter Yates took 14th and Chris MacDonald, in his first road event, came 18th.

In the veterans, juniors and ladies event, Rob Twig showed the result of some serious training when he took the win in the veterans section.

Rob Greenaway was eighth, Gerry Blackmoor first grand master vet and Francine Billington third in the ladies event.

There were good rides from other members, particularly Mike Cooper who finished well in front of his usual placing last year. There was also added team strength from new members Martin Barnett and Paul Chamberlain, who both rode well.

Also battling it out were Geoff Dingley, Ian Billington, Richard Yates, Kate Salmon and Heather Wilcox.

The under-12s saw a terrific ride in his first 'cross' from Craig Talbot.

He moved up throughout the race to take place on the podium in second spot. There was a close tussle between Jason Dingley and new signing Nick Wilcox, with Jason just taking the verdict.

Genevieve Billington rode well but found someone had raised her saddle so she could hardly reach the pedals!

The senior event started just as the clouds opened and all the riders were treated to a tremendous race-long downpour reducing the hard and fast course to a quagmire in places.

Alan Dyus was leading Olympique rider, staying around 400 metres ahead of his brother Ian throughout the race.

Luke Twigg was well ahead of many other riders at the finish.

Other Bromsgrove residents racing were Phil Blacker, Jim Varnish, John Scholes in the vets race and Oliver Claydon in the under-12s.

This weekend sees the first Olympique's cyclo-cross at Sanders Park in Bromsgrove. Anyone who wishes to ride or help on the day would be very welcome. For further details phone Ian on (01527) 833847.