HEBDEN'S Victoria Wilkinson booked a place in the Great Britain team for the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Monopoli, Italy on February 1 when she finished runner-up to defending champion Isla Rowntree at the British Championships in Sutton Park, Birmingham on Sunday.

Rowntree, from Stourbridge CC, collected her third win in five years over the five laps of the frosty 2.5km circuit, beating Ambleside-based Wilkinson (Science in Sport.com) by 39 seconds.

"I was pretty optimistic going into the race," said the 24-year-old, who works for Karrimor in Ambleside. "I beat Isla at the beginning of December in a race in Kent and was hopeful of winning this time around. But things didn't work out as I'd planned on the day. At least I confirmed my right to place in the World Championship team for the second year in succession, which was the main thing.

"The course in Italy looks very flat and fast and won't really suit me, but I had an undulating, tricky course last year in Belgium which was to my liking, so I'll just have to get on with it and see what I can do.

"I finished 19th last year and 14th in a World Cup race in Belgium last month, so I'm aiming for a top 15 place.

"Last year there were 60 riders or so in the field and I imagine it will be much the same this time, so the competition will be very keen. I'll just give it my best shot and hope to learn from the experience."

The racing distance in the World Championships is governed by time, with the race lasting 40 minutes.

In the men's event in Birmingham, won by Belgium-based defending champion Roger Hammond, Craven rider Chris Young finished in seventh place to underline his continuing ability to challenge at the highest level at this stage in his career.