Devon cyclists thrive in national series staged in Paignton

Nearly 350 of the best off-road riders in the country gathered at Paignton’s Torbay Velopark over the weekend to contest the third round of the Lloyds Bank National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series.

Former UK champion Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing) from Gateshead maintained his 100% record in the Elite Men’s race, although he was pushed by Spectra Racing/DAS pair Toby Barnes and Jenson Young.

Edinburgh University student Anna Flynn (Spectra) moved up to second overall in the series by winning the Elite Women’s race.

MDCC’S Lauren Fox gave a spirited display in the Girls’ Under-14 race – her fourth place leaves her second overall with two more rounds to go.

Other MDCC results: Junior Women – 8 Lara Dix, 9 Eva Fox; Boys’ U14 – 14 James Allen; U16 – 22 Matt Holmes; Vets Over50 – 21 James Bovey; Vets Over60 - 9 Robin Delve; Women Vets Over50/60 – 3 Cathy Kilburn, 8 Jackie Shute.

Torbay’s pro cyclist Harrison Wood says he’s prepared to drop down a level for the chance to win races next season and move back up to the WorldTour.

Wood, 24, from Torquay has left French top-flight Team Cofidis after two years in which he rode many of the sport’s biggest races, including his first ‘Grand Tour’, the Giro d’Italia.

Talks with another leading WorldTour squad have not turned into a contract so far, and the former Mid-Devon CC rider is now being linked with Portugal’s No.1 team SabGal-Anicolor.

Ambitious SabGal, based near Porto, compete in cycling’s equivalent of English football’s Championship, with a strong race programme against WorldTour opposition.

“I’d rather have stayed in the WorldTour, but if it takes dropping down a level to move back up, then I’m very willing to do it,” said Wood.

He is a little frustrated that two years of increasingly strong and gutsy performances, mostly in support of Cofidis’ leading riders, did not earn a new deal there.

But Wood should get more opportunities to be a ‘leader’ himself at Pro-Continental level.