IAN Taylor is chasing his first national cyclo-cross championship on Saturday.

The Skipton rider, recent winner of the World Masters 45-49 title in Belgium, will be aiming to break his duck at Bradford’s Peel Park.

Taylor, who shrugged off a bout of illness to win the Novocross event at Knaresborough on New Year’s Day, knows he faces a tough test.

The favourite for the veterans 40 category for riders aged 40-49, is former professional Nick Craig.

“I have come second to him a couple of times,” said Taylor, who admitted that he almost didn’t ride at Knaresborough on Sunday.

“I had been suffering from a heavy cold and it wasn’t until late on that I decided to race.

“It was an event that involved a lot of running and it certainly suited me.”

Taylor, who is waiting for his new white bike with the world champion’s rainbow stripes to arrive, expects conditions to be testing at Peel Park.

“It is likely to be wet and muddy, it usually is, but at least that is better than frost,” he admitted.