TOM Pidcock is firm favourite to win the junior men's category at the HSBC British National Cyclo-cross Championships in Bradford's Peel Park this weekend.

The son of former Otley race director Giles Pidcock is enjoying an exceptional season ahead of Sunday's event (noon).

He is not only European champion but won a round of the Telenet UCI World Cup in Namur, Belgium last month by 50 seconds. He was third the previous month in another round in Zeven, Germany, and is a strong contender for the World Championships later this month in Bieles, Luxembourg.

Pidcock's rivals for the junior men's crown include National Trophy Series winner Sam Moses from Oakworth.

But Moses, who took the crown thanks to a number of consistent performances, is not expecting to win.

The 16-year-old Beckfoot Oakbank pupil, who is in his first full season in the age group, admitted: "I will be happy to finish in the top five as Tom Pidcock is the firm favourite."

Other rivals for Pidcock, who won the Hetton Lyons round of the National Trophy Series, include Thomas Mein (Derwentside CC), Harry Yates (Hargroves-Ridley-Montezuma), Ben Turner (HMT with JLT Condor), Mark Donovan (Wheelbase Altura MGD), Dougal Toms (Iceni Velo), Ross Harnden (Malvern Cycle Sport), Dan Tulett (Specialized Racing), Matthew Ellis (Steve Poole Plant Hire) and Bradford's Euan Cameron.

Meanwhile, Otley's Delia Beddis rides in the elite women's race, which follows the junior men's competition, along with

Wilsden's Annie Simpson.

East Bradford CC's Amber Hull, from Guiseley, rides in the under-14 girls the day before, while Ilkley CC's Jonny Gill and Michael Strange go in the under-14 and under-16 boys, also on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Keighley district has plenty of interest across other categories at Peel Park this weekend.

East Morton-based Ian Field will be aiming to add the elite men's title to his national trophy series crown on Sunday. He warmed up for the event by winning the Novacross race at Knaresborough on New Year's Day, in which Ian Taylor also won the veterans category. The former Cononley resident will be aiming to become veteran national champion for the first time on Saturday, with Haworth's Andy Peace and former Bingley rider Rob Jebb also in the mix.

Field's girlfriend Annie Simpson, from Wilsden, will come up against her road race team-mate Hannah Payton in the women's elite race on Sunday.