Peel Park played host to the fourth round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series and a tough course helped cause a surprise result to leave the event wide open with just one round remaining.

The course, laid out by organiser John Rawnsley and his team from the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association, proved a hit with riders in all categories, with a good mix of technical areas coupled with some fast open stretches.

Series leader David Collins, the Science in Sport.com rider from Loughborough, could only manage eighth spot at Bradford after struggling to keep the power going, as well as crashing and suffering cramp on the final lap.

Victory went to under-23 star Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles), who looks set to ride for Great Britain at the World Cup event in Italy next month, while Polish World Cup ace Mariusz Gil took second place ahead of Bingley's Rob Jebb (Wheelbase).

Jebb said: "I gave it a good go. I wanted to ride well in Bradford because it's a good course and I enjoyed it.

"I knew it was going to be difficult but Field was on a flyer and I knew Mariusz would be up there, so overall I was pleased with the result. I certainly did my best."

Barring disaster, Collins should still take the title at Derby on January 13 but he is taking nothing for granted after his display at Peel Park.

He said: "Things went pretty badly. I just didn't have any speed in my legs. I've been ill since the third round at Mallory and that was my first effort for three weeks.

"I was going around in reasonable order and was about fourth but then the power started fading and I dropped back steadily.

"I crashed on the last lap at the bottom of a bank when my bike went sideways and I hit a post. I got up all right but I had cramp in both legs, so it was just a case of getting to the line."

Event winner Field was also not without his troubles and explained: "I went to the front straight away and was going okay but I had a problem with my gears jumping about and I dropped back to fourth.

"I think I had a leaf stuck in there or something and I had to work hard to get back.

"Once I was back at the front, me and Rob pulled away quite easily and I actually got a bit of a gap on him but then crashed and got tape wrapped around my bike and lost all that lead."

Burley in Wharfedale's Mark Thwaites (Crosstrax) finished 13th, while his younger brother Scott was fourth in the junior event behind winner Alex Paton from Kent club VC Deal.

Keighley's Chris Young (Team JD Cycles) took third in the over-40s race, behind Derbyshire winner Geoff Giddings and Northallerton's Noel Clough.

Tom Moses (SSC Cyclesport), another Keighley rider, was third in the youth race, while in the under-12s event promising East Bradford CC rider Billy Harding took a good victory.

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