TOM Pidcock has won a second straight HSBC UK National Cyclo-Cross Championship title.

The 18-year-old Telenet Fidea Lions' rider from Otley triumphed at junior men's level last January at Bradford's Peel Park.

Now the junior world champion has moved up an age group to add the men's under-23 national title to his collection at Hetton Lyons Country Park in the north-east.

After his Superman impression in crossing the line a year ago, Pidcock got off his bike and bowed to the crowd this time around.

Winning the race by almost a minute in a display of skill and strength, Pidcock, who bunny-hopped the hurdles at the end of the first lap to establish his lead, which he added to as the race wore on, said: "It's a championship, so you've just got to try and get as much time as you can in case something goes wrong – that was what I was planning to do.

"There were a lot of people here today, maybe as many as at Bradford last year, so it's pretty special.

"It's good for British cyclo-cross that a lot more people are taking part in it and it is growing."

Fellow former Paul Milnes rider Ben Turner (Beobank-Corendon) returned after a season racing in Belgium and led on the opening lap, with Pidcock just behind.

However, Pidcock's talent shone as he rode clear to leave Turner chasing alone in second throughout the race, with Pidcock eventually triumphing by 57.8sec.

The battle for bronze was an exciting one, with local rider Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing) initially leading the chase before he was joined by a small group of five other riders.

Daniel Tulett (Specialized Racing) eventually joined Mein and, as the two traded blows, their rivals faded away, with Tulett making the decisive move for bronze with just over a lap remaining.

Ilkley's Jonny Gill (PH-MAS/Paul Milnes/Oldfield) was 34th at one lap, while Ilkley Cycling Club member Michael Strange was 47th at three laps.

The next big event for Pidcock is likely to be the UCI World Championships at Valkenburg in the Netherlands on Sunday, February 4.