HEBDEN cyclo-cross international Victoria Wilkinson is preparing for a hectic Christmas racing schedule in Belgium with confidence boosted by her new title of the National Women's Cyclo-Cross Series champion.

She completed a five-race programme at Abergavenny last week, when her second place behind Louise Robinson wrapped up her title-winning effort.

With three wins and two seconds in the series, she emerged a clear winner for the first time after being second last year to Isla Rowntree.

Rowntree was in her wake in Wales and that has given the Craven rider added confidence ahead of the National Championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham on January 12.

Before then, however, she has some serious work to do on the continent, a string of races including another round of the World Cup.

This takes place on the sand dunes at Koksijide in Belgium on Sunday, when Wilkinson will be aiming for another top-10 finish.

Her best this season in four races was a fifth place in Germany which left her in seventh place overall in the rankings.

"If I can stay in the top 10, I get a better grid position for the World Championships in Pont Chateau in France on February 1, so there's an added bonus for doing well," she says.

"Obviously I'll have to put Christmas celebrations on hold, but maybe I'll get time to relax in February."