Burley-in-Wharfedale brothers Mark and Scott Thwaites both secured silver medals at the National Cyclo-cross Championships in Sutton Park, Birmingham.

Following some excellent results in Belgium, 15 year-old Scott instigated numerous attacks to reduce the leading field to four riders.

Together with Kent's Alex Paton he then made the decisive break and these two riders stayed well clear until the line where only a last ditch sprint separated them in favour of Paton.

Interviewed after the race Scott paid credit to Paton saying: "Alex has ridden well all year and was stronger than me in the sprint. He is physically larger and more powerful than all the other riders so he takes a lot of beating, particularly on flattish courses and firm ground. I am happy to have taken it so close."

Later in the day 18 year-old Mark rode in the under-23 category which included three full time professional cyclists funded by British Cycling's World Class Performance programme.

Realistically he was fighting for fourth place with fellow GB junior from last year, London's Alex Atkins and Welsh Champion, Lee Williams.

After getting the better of both Atkins and Williams Mark continued to ride strongly making progress through the field.

Meanwhile, the WCP riders were struggling with two crashing out on the technical sections of the course allowing Mark to move into the silver medal position.

Although unexpected, Mark was delighted with his medal.

Both Mark and Scott are now taking a few weeks rest before focusing on preparation for Spring and Summer races.

Mark will shortly join his Kinesis UK team in Majorca ready for the MTB season, while Scott travels to Italy to the Merlin Development Squad.

When Mark had to drop out of Sunday's National Inter-Area Cyclo-Cross Championships at Peel Park, Bradford, bang went Yorkshire's hopes of winning a medal.

Mark had to withdraw with two of the eight laps remaining when he felt dizzy.

Yorkshire had only fielded the minimum four riders in their A team in Sunday's event and when Mark had to drop out with him went their hopes of a medal.

If he or another rider had finished in the top 14 Yorkshire would at least have gained the bronze medals.

Brother Scott was in the Yorkshire youth team which was narrowly beaten for the bronze medals when they tied on overall points with the Eastern region but lost out on the placing of their third counter.