Champion rider in action at Snelsmore

NATIONAL Cross Country MTB Series elite champion Philip Pearce will be among those riding in Sunday’s second round of the Wessex Cyclocross Series which is being staged at Snelsmore.

Pearce is continuing to ride off season and last week won the opening elite race in the Banjo Cycles Cross Country Rampage when finishing just over 10 seconds clear of the field at Hammonds Farm in Checkendon.

It was a close race between Pearce and Hargroves Cycles’ Jody Crawforth until Crowforth’s machine punctured on the fourth lap, leaving Pearce to negotiate a lap and a half on his own to leave David Beskeen of Psyclewerx second with Crawforth third.

The Banjo event saw Newbury Road Club’s Ben Woodhouse win the boys eight and under race.