West Suffolk Wheelers’ Mike Bowen won the veterans’ cyclo-cross at Hempton after taking a leaf out of Phil Buick’s book.

After a race-long duel the pair faced two finishing sprints.

The first, due to a mistake with the lap board, was won by the vastly experienced Iceni Velo rider Buick. But the ringing of the bell and shouts from the sidelines told riders they had another lap to do.

The last corner is a 180-degree U-turn on a surfaced road. Remembering what Buick had just done, Bowen approached in a low gear, took it very tight, and blasted up the hill to the finish. Buick, forced to take the outside line, was consigned to second.

Just behind, there were star performances from Terry Smith (Colchester Rovers, third) and Tony Wilkins (Wolsey RC, fourth), while the over-60s prize went to Barry Denny of West Suffolk Wheelers.

The course on Hempton Common, near Fakenham, was dry and fast but included some spectacular drop-offs and climbs that brought the most skilled riders to the fore.

The senior race was dominated by Ipswich rider Ross Tricker (XRT/Elmy Cycles). The former Kona semi-pro was never seriously challenged.

Dougal Toms maintained his 100 percent record of youth wins, with Chelmsford rider Mitch Powell taking fifth spot, Antonio Capasso was the best Ipswich BC member in seventh, while Sam Asker (West Suffolk Whs, 10th) scored his best league placing of the season.

Chelmsford junior Sean Dunlea has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Cup cyclo-cross in Koksijde, Belgium after taking the series lead with a third place in the National Trophy race in Durham.

Dunlea described the race as “very fast, like a road criterium on grass.” Ipswich BC’s Dave Copland returned to his one-time home area to take fifth place in the over-50 category, 2:42 behind winner Steven Davies.

Ann Shuttleworth (Chelmer CC) was the top East Anglian in the Veterans’ TTA Best All-Rounder competition - and found herself presenting the awards at the Group Prize Presentation at the Holiday Inn, Ipswich.

Ken Platts (Cambridge CC) headed the men’s group while local trophy winners included Tricia Goulden (West Suffolk Wheelers, Ladies Championship) and Ron Back, (WSW, Fisher, King Trophy) while the irrepressible Doug Yareham (Victoria CC) received the Gordon Irons Cup for outstanding service to the group. Among local riders collecting awards were Peter Beard, Bob Bush, Len Finch, John Golder, Peter Horsnell, David Howes, Kevin Norman, Roger Selmes, Ann Shuttleworth and Connie Tapper.

There is entry-level MTB racing at the UEA, Norwich tomorrow. See the MTB Calendar pages at www.britishcycling.org.uk/ for further details.

Hempton Cross, Fakenham - winners and leading local finishers: Seniors: 1 Ross Tricker (XRT/Elmy Cycles) 53:27, 2 B Lewis (Haclney GT) +1:09, 3 (1st Jun) T Doncaster (CC Ashwell) +2:28, 4 I Newby (Diss CC) +2:44, 5 T Guy (Iceni Velo) +2:46, 10 R Hunt (API) +4:19, 12 C Skinner (API) 5:13, 13 D Warwick (Ipswich BC) 5:52, 15 W Hughes (IBC) +6:24. VETS: 1 Mike Bowen (West Suffolk Whs) 46:42, 2 P Buick (Iceni) +0:01, 3 T Smith (Colchester Rovers) +0:51, 4 T Wilkins (Wolsey RC) +1:00, 7 S De Boltz (IBC) +1:51, 8 C Quantrill (IBC) +1:53, 10 D West (Amis Velo) +2:25, 12 J Terrell (IBC) +3:17, 14 A Kennedy (IBC) +3:36. Women: 1 Sherilyn Powell (Chelmer CC) 48:09, 2 J Williams (Stowmarket & District) +1:09, 5 E tribley ( Chelmer CC), 7 S King (Chelmer), 8 J De Boltz (IBC).

Youth: 1 Dougal Toms (Iceni) 25:19, 2 F Barnes (Cambridge Tri) +1:13, 3 G Dossett (Welwyn Whs) +1:23, 5 M Powell (Team Terminator) +2:33, 7 A Capasso (IBC) + 2:38,10 (3rd U14) S Asker (West Suffolk Wheelers) +3:05, 13 (4th U14) P Bacon (Ipswich CSC) +4:14, 14 A Colbert (IBC) +4:44.

Youth Girls: 1 Sophie Wright (GYCC) +6:21. Under 12: 1 William Davies (Welwyn Whs) 15:17, 3 A Freeman (Chelmer CC) +0:32,8 O Partner (CRCC) +2:05, 9 D Mansell-Thomas (CRCC) +2:13, 10 D Hall (CRCC) +2:25. Under 10: 1 Caelan Miller (ELV) 10:50, 3 J Hughes (IBC) +1:20, 4 J Emerson (CRCC) +1:33, 6 M Rethman (CRCC) +1:56, 7 C Knowler (WSW) +2:21, 8 J Taylor (WSW) 10 V Asker (WSW).