SKIPTON'S Ian Taylor (C and N Cycles) gave it everything as he tried to prevent former Bingley resident Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) from winning the men's 40-49 years' race in the fifth round of the National Trophy Series at Peel Park in Bradford.

Taylor, whose brother Andy did not ride due to illness, narrowed the gap on Jebb during the second lap before Jebb won the first race of the day on what was an understandably muddy course.

In order to freshen up the challenge, the course was swapped around, giving the riders two descents instead of one, and Jebb, who won by less than six seconds, said: "The course was difficult, really difficult and really slippery, and anything can happen because you can break your bike at any time."

Taylor said after the finish: "My hands are really cold and I couldn't change gears."

In the veterans' women's race, Barnoldswick's Juliet Horrocks (Hope Factory Racing) was eighth in 43min 49.9sec but is already looking forward to returning when she moves into the over-50s category.

"It was really muddy but I hope to get myself fitter and want to have a real go at getting on the podium in the over-50s as this is my favourite course," said the 49-year-old.

Her daughter Lucy (Cycle Sport Pendle), who won on the course in 2013, was hoping to enter the under-16 girls' event but decided against it, with her mum explaining: "Lucy had had a really hard day the day before at Manchester Velodrome as part of her GB training, b ut hopefully next year she will be back."