Keighley’s Joe Moses may have finished second in the junior men’s National Trophy Cyclo-Cross race at Derby.

But the Paul Milnes-Bradford Olympic rider had the consolation of extending his lead in the series prior to the fifth round on Sunday, December 11 in Bradford’s Peel Park.

National champion Hugo Robinson (XRT-Elmy Cycles) secured victory after a closely-fought battle at Moorways Leisure Centre but Moses made his overall position stronger as several of his rivals lost out in a titanic battle for third.

Robinson, who won round three in Southampton, went from the gun, Moses making contact with him shortly afterwards.

Their combined pace rapidly moved them clear of the rest and when Robinson’s mid-race attack dropped Moses, he was able to control things and claim a decisive win. Moses is now looking favourite for the series title.

The chasing pack was full of quality, with Adam Martin (Cestria Cycles RT), Harry Franklin (Hargroves Cycles), Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase) and William Worrall (Towy Racing) making much of the early running.

They were joined by others, including Alex Welburn (Cycle Shack/Forme Coaching), Joe Kirkham (Hargroves Cycles), Bradley’s Ed McParland (GT Racing UK) and Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Aire Valley RT) as ten riders contested third place.

Martin looked like he was on for the podium as he bossed things midway through the last lap but he and Womersley, having his best ride of the series to date, clashed and both crashed.

They both instantly dropped ten places, eventually finishing in 11th and 12th as Welburn claimed third, with McParland sixth.

Solihull CC’s Jack Ravenscroft secured victory in the youth under-16 race after attacking on the final lap.

The 15-year-old from Birmingham crossed the line around 13 seconds clear of Welsh rival Dylan Kerfoot-Robson (Rhos on Sea CC) and Paul Milnes RT/Bradford Olympic RC rider Billy Harding, from Birkenshaw.

This trio had been together for much of the race, attacking freely round the twisting grassland course.

But Ravenscroft attacked decisively on the last lap to take the win while Kerfoot-Robson, from Denbighshire, just edged out Harding in the finish. Harding is fourth overall.

Keighley brothers Chris Young (Wheelbase) and Mike Young (Pedalsport CC) were involved in a great battle for third place in the veterans’ race, former national champion Chris eventually taking it after a last-lap attack.

Team Jewson’s Darren Atkins made it two wins in a row, narrowing the gap on series leader James Bryan (Zepnat RT), who was second, to just 16 points.

Mike Young was fifth, Bradford’s Jonathan Watson (Charge Bikes) 11th and Chris Taylor (Pedalsport CC) 13th. Chris Young is third overall.

Oxenhope’s Matt Denby (Zepnat) was a non-finisher after suffering with a knee injury for most of the week but he had to start the event to qualify for the overall series.

Mirfield veteran Louise Robinson (Stourbridge CC) won the women’s race by ten seconds after steadily chasing down junior Hannah Payton (The Kinesis Morvelo Project).

Former Otley resident Adela Carter (WXC MTB RT) was fourth after arriving late for gridding and being relegated to the back row but still heads the overall standings.

Bingley’s Robert Watson was 12th in the men’s race but was fourth under-23 home and is fifth overall in the standings.