Riders warm up for National Trophy cyclo-cross

Cyclo-cross riders across the country warmed up for the opening round of the National Trophy Series next Sunday with some strong performances in regional leagues across the country last weekend.

Ben Sumner (Beeline Bicycles) won the second round of the Central League on Saturday, the 19-year-old taking victory by over a minute and a half from at the MK Bowl in Buckinghamshire.

Sumner, who has ridden mainly Mountain Bike Cross-Country events in the past, took the win three weeks after he won the opening round of the Wessex League.

Rick Lister (RWD Brakes) secured his first victory in a Lincolnshire League event when he won round five at South Ormsby near Louth on Sunday.

The League champion in 2009 and 2010, he crossed the line ahead of reigning champion Mark Cotton (Ellmore Factory Racing), while George Thompson (Sleaford Wheelers) took third.

In the fourth round of the Welsh League, 16-year-old junior Adam King (Cardiff JIF) stepped up from second in the last two rounds to take the honours over his senior rivals in Sunday's race at Brecon.

The Whitchurch-based rider was at the front from the start and, after a steady couple of laps early on, went clear from the leading group to finish around a minute ahead of overall leader Andrew Baum (Cwmcarn Paragon RC).

In the Elmy Cycles Eastern League, Dennis Lisbygd (Race Timing Solutions) crossed the line a clear winner at Stanborough Park in Welwyn on Saturday.

The 30-year-old from St Albans was more than a minute ahead of his nearest rival at the finish after having started the race well down the pack due to his lack of previous results.

In the fifth round of the SRAM Notts and Derby League on Saturday, Great Britain MTB international David Fletcher made it two wins in two cross races this season when he won at Allestree Park in Derby.

Fletcher, 23 and from Edwinstowe, rode a controlled race on his way to victory, crossing the line 22 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Andy Naylor (Fossa Racing).

But despite his form, Fletcher will not be riding the opening round of the National Trophy in Abergavenny, preferring to enter the series from round two at Ipswich three weeks later, when he will also ride the European Championships.

Adam Martin (Cestria Cycles) cruised home in the fifth round of the Yorkshire Points at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds on Saturday.

Martin was more than a minute ahead of Dirt Wheels duo Dieter Droger and Simon Maudsley, who crossed the line together for equal second place.

And in the South West League, Dexter Hurlock (Team Certini) won round five at Newton Abbot in Devon on Sunday, crossing the line almost two and a half minutes ahead of his nearest rival Tim Carpenter (Elite Velo).