CYCLO-CROSS is definitely a family affair when it comes to Ilkley Cycling Club.

For example, Andrew Whiteside was competing in the men's 40-49 years' race of the National Trophy Series in Bradford last Sunday, while 12-year-old son Ethan and nine-year-old daughter Freya were competing in the unofficial junior races.

"Six or seven of us (Ilkley Cycling Club members) were competing in the veterans' races, but it was slippery out there and there were a lot of off-camber sections," explained Andrew of the Peel Park course in his rich Belfast accent.

"My wife Cath is Ilkley born and bred, however, and that is why I am here.

"It was my third race but was one of the most difficult courses I have ridden.

"I broke my collarbone so have had the summer off but I want to up my fitness and have a go at the summer-cross series next year.

"Unfortunately, Ethan had a chest infection last week but wanted to give it a go, while Freya has had a first and a couple of thirds in her age group of under-tens, where she still has another year to go."

Andrew finished 58th, while clubmates Ian Cliffe, John Wood, Tim Gill, Arthur Wilson and Tim Bull were 27th, 32nd, 37th, 41st and 47th respectively.

Cliffe is 53rd overall and Wood 54th ahead of the final round at Derby on Sunday, January 5.

In the men's veterans' 50 years plus race, Otley Cycling Club's Andrew Moxon was 38th, while clubmate Joe Howcroft was 41st in the under-16 boys, three places ahead of Ilkley Cycling Club's Harry Hunt. Otley Cycling Club's Ryan Middlemiss did not finish.

Ben Hallworth (Ilkley Cycling Club) was 33rd in the elite men's race at two laps, while former Otley resident Adela Carter (Hope Factory Racing) was fifth in the elite women's race and is third overall on 113 points.

Race winner wasEvie Richards (Malvern Cycle Sport), followed by fellow teenager Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic Road Club), Mercedes Pacios Pujado (Beeline Bicicles RT) and Ffion James (Abergavenny Road Club), the third junior in the top five.