Cononley’s Ian Taylor was just happy to be back on the podium at Peel Park last Sunday.

Having come fourth in the last round of the National Trophy cyvlo-cross series at Milton Keynes, he finished third in the fifth round in Bradford.

“It felt really good,” said the Jedi Cycles Sport rider after the day’s opening race.

“Temperatures are a bit different from normal here but that meant the mud was slippery.”

Keighley’s Chris Young (Pedalsport Cycling Club) was sixth, and said: “I am recovering from a cold but our group realised we could make up some time if we worked together. The mild weather meant that the bikes had to be cleaned by the jack washers more often.”

Haworth’s Andy Peace, his clubmate from Bingley, was eighth and Oxenhope’s Matt Denby (Team Jewson-MI Racing) was 17th, adding: “I have only had two weeks’ hard training behind me.”

Being under the weather was also a factor in Keighley’s Alfie Moses (Paul Milnes Bradford Olympic) only finishing fourth in the under-16 boys’ race.

He has tested unblemished series leader Dan Tulett (Hargroves Cycles) before this winter but Alfie’s dad Craven said: “The race went okay but Alfie is feeling under the weather and was heavy legged. He probably didn’t hydrate enough either.

“Now we can look forward to the final round of the National Trophy and the National Championships in the first two weeks of the new year.”

Barnoldswick’s Hope Factory Racing team was strongly represented.

Bingley’s Rob Jebb was sixth in the men’s race, with clubmates Paul Oldham second, Michael Thompson 15th, Daniel Booth 20th and David Collins 31st.

Lucy Horrocks won the under-14 girls’ race.