Whilst most of us were doing last minute shopping or sitting down to Christmas dinner the World's leading cyclo-cross riders assembled in Belgium for a week of high level racing.

Burley-in-Wharfedale's Scott Thwaites (Merlin Development Squad) took on a top class international field in the supporting youths' Superprestige Event at Diegem.

A total of 50 riders lined up at the start with Scott being unlucky in the draw for grid positions. Starting in 44th place and seven rows back he found himself 400 metres down on the first lap with all the favourites well in front of him.

The lone British rider then rode a tremendous race, going through the congested field and getting back on terms with the leading group with just under two laps remaining.

Despite repeated attacks, there were six riders still together at the end of the race.

As they came into the finish, the large crowd lining the streets of Diegam were treated to a thrilling six up sprint for the line with only a bikes length separating the first four riders.

First across the line was Pieter-Jan Pirotte (Belgium) while second place went to Harm Van Der Sanden (Netherlands) and young Scott Thwaites took a very fine third place for the Merlin Team.

Three days later the roadshow was at Loenhout for the Gazette van Antwerpen Trofee.

A kinder gridding than at Diegam saw Scott on the second row of the 71 entrants and in touch with the leading riders on the hectic first lap of the icy circuit.

As the race progressed a group of five riders made a decisive break and stayed together until the final lap.

Once again the result came down to a sprint for the line, only to be decided by the photo finish camera.

The decision went in favour of Holland's Harm Van Der Sanden with Belgium's Stef Boden second and Britain's Scott Thwaites third.