EAST Morton's Annie Simpson secured victory in the elite women’s race of the first National Trophy Cyclo-Cross series in Shrewsbury as Keighley area riders enjoyed a triple success.

The Hope Factory Racing competitor, who grew up in Wilsden, capitalised on her early season form in a hard-fought four-way tussle on a slippy Sundorne circuit.

Her triumph was part of a local hat-trick as Alfie Moses, from Oakworth, won the junior men's category and Cononley's Ian Taylor claimed the over-40s veteran crown.

Simpson got her tactics just right in her four-way battle with Amira Mellor, Ffion James and Merce Pacios Pujado.

The lead change hands throughout before Simpson and national champion James broke clear. The final technical section proved crucial as the 24-year-old beat James to seal a well-deserved victory in a time of 40min 07sec.

Simpson said: “I was really happy with that. With Hannah (Payton) going to Belgium this season I was hoping that I could step up and take her place this year.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself but the junior girls were amazing through the woods and I clearly wasn't as good as they were so I used them to drag me through.

“I had to ride with my head and I did sit in quite a lot but I thought if I kicked at the right time it would be enough to win. I've realised I have to ride a bit more with my head and not my heart.

“The training has been going well this year. We have a really good group to train with who get me out when it’s raining and I don't feel like it, I'm so lucky to live where I do.”

Meanwhile, Moses got the better of the junior men's field to secure his first National Trophy victory of the series. The Paul Milnes Cycles rider, easily mistaken for older brother Tom in riding style, held off Josh Waters and Will Gascoyne to take the top step of the podium with a time of 36:19.

Jedi Cycle Sport's Taylor, who was runner-up to Darren Atkins in last year's campaign, made no mistake with a flying start in the veterans' race. He strung out the huge field on the opening road section and did not relinquish the lead to win in 37:53 ahead of second-placed Atkins.

Chris Young, well known in Keighley cycling circles, came second in the over-50s.