DEBENHAM schoolboy Hugo Robinson had a weekend of top-level experience in cyclo-cross, taking part in a the World Cup race at Koksijde in Belgium as part of a British Cycling junior team and racing again next day at Southampton in round four of the UK National Trophy Series.

The Belgian race, on a course dominated by sand dunes, asphalt roads and mud, was very much a learning experience, with two mechanical problems dropping Robinson to 52nd place.

At Southampton Robinson put a foot down on a greasy corner while vying with Taylor Johnson for third spot and saw the Team De Ver lad very effectively seize the moment and the place on the podium.

Best Eastern League finisher in the senior was Hempton winner Andy Nichols (Cambridge University CC) who was 30th.just over five minutes down on winner Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles). Ipswich rider Nathan Miller was 37th a further 1:19 behind.

Miller, incidentally, is the organiser of the Elmy Cycles Supacross, the only Category A ‘event in this season’s Eastern League. This will be held in the grounds of Foxhall Stadium on Sunday 2nd January.

Best Suffolk rider in the under 16 race at Southampton was Alan Trolove (West Suffolk Whs).

Veteran time-triallists – that is riders over 40 – gathered at the Ipswich Holiday Inn for the Veterans Time Trials Association’s prize presentation

Principal award winner was 58 year-old Ken Platts whose ride of 280.673 miles in the Eastern Counties CA 12 hour formed the basis of his outstanding Best All-Rounder figures, as well as making Platts national, as well as regional, veteran’s 12 hour champion. Among older local riders in the 4-distance BAR competition were 75 year-old Tony Panting (West Suffolk Wheelers) whose 12 hour was 211 miles and Peter Horsnell (Chelmer CC) aged 80, with a 209 mile “12”.

Winner of the Gordon Irons Memorial Cup for services to the Group was Stan Broom who has been responsible for over 250 events his long – and continuing - organising career.

The “vets” are a tough, determined crowd – in spite of Sunday’s inclement weather there were no absentees among the 63 due to attend this East Anglian Group function. The chief guest was Brenda Tate from the East Anglian CC, who cast a humorous eye on a subject familiar to all those present .....age.

Weather permitting, the Eastern and South Eastern Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships will be fought out tomorrow on the slopes of Hog Hill, the Redbridge Cycling Centre, Hainault.