WET greasy conditions faced Ilkley Cycling Club competitors in the third race of the Yorkshire Winter Cross series held by Skipton Cycling Club at Aireville Park.

The course for the Aireville Cyclo Cross made the most of the pitch and putt hill, with competitors going up and down it several times each lap in a true test of fitness and bike handling skills.

There was a great turnout of Ilkley CC youth riders. In the under-8s, Ilkley had Jake Thornton (fifth) and Finn Sharp (eighth), in the under-10s Lucy Christensen finished fourth and Rosa Wilson was 5th, and in the under-12s Alfie Robinson was the 11th, Theo Hart was 14th and Zac Wilson crossed the line in 27th.

There were no club jerseys in the under-14/16 category, but several club members represented teams as Ben Houlihan, Joe Turnbull and Alex Beldon all put in good performances.

There was also a stellar performance from Freya Whiteside, who won the under-16 girls in great style.

In the mature categories, Ilkley CC had Tony Limbert finish 10th in the V60 race and John Wood 12th in the V50.

The five riders in the V40 race were led by Dave Wilby in sixth, followed by Arthur Wilson in ninth, Andrew Whiteside in 16th, Liam Rees in 38th and Steven Butts who finished 40th.

In the senior event, Ilkley CC’s coach Dan Sharpe was a fine 17th, followed closely by Michael Strange in 19th place.

Harvey Wilson, Harry Thorpe and James Stirling recently competed in their first downhill MTB race on a fast and technical course at Cannock Chase.

All the lads raced hard but special mention for Thorpe, who finished seventh in his age category. Wilson came 17th and Stirling was 18th.