EASTERN riders put in a brilliant showing today at the Ipswich round of the National Trophy cyclocross series.

Dominic Castle

EASTERN riders put in a brilliant showing today at the Ipswich round of the National Trophy cyclocross series.

First to shine in the late autumn sun was Essex rider Nikki Juniper, who won the women's race - only her fourth cross race ever and her first National Trophy event - despite taking an early fall.

Then in the youth event Hugo Robinson overcame a poor start to slice through the field and join in a tremendous race-long battle with Joseph Fox and Jon Dibben.

Fox eventually broke clear in the last lap but Ipswich BC rider Robinson's second place was enough to lift him to the top of the points table and give him the series yellow jersey as well as the Mayor's Trophy for best-placed Ipswich rider on the day.

The hat-trick was completed by Chelmsford's David Nichols, who took the fight to the big names in the senior race and was rewarded with victory, and the overall leader's jersey, in the U23 category.

There was a double celebration for the Nichols family as brother Andrew came second in the same class.

Spectators were treated to some superb close racing on Chantry's rolling parkland, which, despite Saturday's heavy rain, dried out in the wind and sun to give a very fast surface.

German visitor Johannes Sickmueller certainly found English conditions to his liking, taking his second successive National Trophy senior win despite Paul Oldham's valiant efforts.

The action was even tighter in the veterans' event, where Chris Young just got the verdict from Noel Clough in the final decisive uphill sprint.

RESULTS

Elite Men

1 Johannes Sickmuller (Stevens); 2 Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing); 3 Bjorn Rondelez (Beachbikers)

Youths

1 Joseph Fox (Solihull CC); 2 Hugo Robinson (Ipswich BC); 3. Jon Dibben (Hargroves Cycles)

Under 23

1 David Nichols (Arctic Premier); 2 Andrew Nichols (Cambridge University CC); 3 Tom Payton (Cult Racing)

Women

1 Nicola Juniper (PCA Cyclos Uno)

Junior Men

1 Luke Gray (Hargroves Cycles)

Veterans 40+

1 Chris Young (JD Cycles)