SHIPLEY'S Chris Young (Pedalsport CC) rolled back the years on the opening day of the HSBC National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bradford today.

The British coach showed not only his rivals hoe it should be done, but also his pupils as he won the men's over-50 title at a drier than usual Peel Park course.

On a day that was also milder than usual for the Bradford venue, Young started strongly on the twisty section above the starting grid, leading the way before being passed by the fast starting Pete Middleton (Zepnat).

However, Young's attack up the cambered ascent leading to the finishing straight proved decisive, and he extended his advantage to 16 seconds over the closing lap.

Behind them, Steven Davies (Hargroves-Ridley) and previous champion Tim Gould (Zepnat RT) became locked in a battle for third.

Both riders took the lead before slipping, with Gould making the final error on the last muddy climb, allowing over-55 winner Davies to sprint clear to claim third.

“It went to plan for the first time this year and I did what I wanted to do,” said Young. “I was happy to stay in second for the first few laps and then make my move.”

“I practiced here yesterday and I was pretty confident but the other guys have been beating me, so I was hoping for a podium. A win is out of this world really.”

Young's partner Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes-Bradford Olympic RC) also rode well, taking fifth place in the day's opening race - the veteran women's championship.

Jackson, who has ridden in Belgium this winter, was fourth in the 45-49 years' category, however, and said: "I am frustrated because I beat the top three in the 40-44 years' section (Verity Appleyard was seventh, Alison Kinloch was eighth and Karen Poole ninth) and they all got medals, but I move up an age category next year."

Maddi Smith (Bolsover & District CC) gave Yorkshire their first victory of the weekend.

The 45-year-old from Sheffield retained her national jersey in emphatic style, taking the lead within the opening half lap and distancing her opponents early on and keeping her gap.

Helen Pattinson (Hargroves Montezuma) led the initial charge on the uphill road section before losing time on Smith early in the race.

Pattinson was initially passed into third by HSBC UK National Trophy Series winner Isla Rowntree (Islabikes), riding her faithful single-speed machine on the hilly Bradford course.

However, Pattinson responded on the second lap and passed Rowntree before continuing to open the gap.

“I was quite lucky with how muddy it was really as it suited my power riding,” said Smith following the win.

"Isla deservedly won the National Trophy and I was second so I really needed this. I didn’t expect this but I have worked hard all year.”

Age group world champion Tracy Fletcher (Team Empella) was a clear over-50 age category winner.

She initially joined a group riding for fourth overall before surging clear of her opponents by the midway point.

“I’m very pleased as it’s been a long season and this tops it off,” she said. “The course was proper cyclo-cross in England, as in Belgium it’s more sand which we don’t get here.”

World Masters champion Ian Taylor (C and N Cycles RT) was fourth in the men's 40-49 years' race that wrapped up the day one action, former Bingley resident Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) finishing second behind the skilful Nick Craig (Scott Racing), who retained his title.

The 47-year-old from High Peak in Derbyshire was joined at the head of proceedings by Jebb, Darren Atkins (Ride Coventry) and Taylor.

Craig and Jebb kept the early pressure high and opened up a gap on Atkins and Taylor, who fought it out for third.

Jebb eventually cracked and Craig increased his lead bit by bit until it was unassailable.

Behind, Atkins and Taylor were locked in a close battle for bronze until, on the final lap, a slipped chain for age-group world champion Taylor allowed Atkins to ride away for third.

“Technically it was a good course,” said Craig following the win. “Rob [Jebb] was as strong as ever and I had to be wary of him on the run-ups.

“I got a few seconds on him after a few laps and just grew it to have a buffer. Then I could ride my lines and my technique so it went well from then on really.”

Otley's Joe Pidcock (Paul Milnes-Bradford Olympic RC) was ninth in the under-16 boys, while Ethan Whiteside (East Bradford CC) was 19th, clubmate Amber Hull from Guiseley coming 19th in the under-14 girls' race.

The clearest winner of the day was Harriet Harnden (T-Mo Racing) in the under-16 girls race.

The 15-year-old mountain-bike specialist took the lead on the opening lap kept extending it.

Harnden never looked in any difficulty and the national Mountain Bike champion, who is unbeaten in both disciplines this year, raced to an emphatic win.

She was initially joined by Maddie Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT) but the pace was too high for her companion, who was passed by Eluned King (Towy Riders), who took a clear second.

“It was tough and the running was really hard,” said Harnden. “This is just something else I do on the side of mountain biking so it’s a bit of fun. The national title is not something I would have thought I’d have won a couple years back.”

The under-14 girls' race was a close battle, with Eva Young (Pedal Power RT) fighting it out with Millie Couzens (Zappi’s CC) and Anna Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT).

Eventually Young broke clear of the other two, with Couzens finishing second and Wadsworth collecting bronze.

Young said: “I’m glad to get my first national title as I was looking for a top five today, so it was definitely not expected.”

Ben Tulett (Beeline-Gener8) retained his national under-16 title in dramatic fashion, sprinting clear of Charlie Craig (Scott Racing) to clinch the win.

The two spent the race out front, matching each other from the outset.

Lewis Askey (RST Racing Team) saw his chances go with a gear slip on the starting straight and, despite working his way through the field, he had to settle for bronze.

Tulett, 15, took advantage of a last lap bike chance for Craig to attack and get a decisive gap.

Despite a valiant chase running up the final climb by the National Trophy Series winner, Craig was beaten in the sprint.

“We got away really fast and were playing cat and mouse the whole race,” said Tulett. “He made a mistake so I pushed hard. In the sprint I kept going and nobody was there.”

In the under-14 category, Adam Bent (Border City Wheelers) came from behind after an early crash to take a comfortable win.

Behind initial leader Joe Kiely (Welwyn Wheelers) faded away to bronze and Finlay Pickering (Hull Thursday RC) came through for second.

“I got onto a few wheels to get back up to them after the crash and then ended up riding away,” said Bent.