Otley Cycling Club had a medallist in the National Cyclo-Cross Championships last Saturday in Bradford – but you had to be there early to catch it.

The first race of the weekend at Peel Park was for the under-eights, and Emily Middlebrook came third behind Anna Kippen (Leeds Mercury) and Astrid Hiley (Pedalsport).

The non-championship races incorporated a large section of the BMX course on the Cliffe Road side of the park, with their ups and downs catching several riders unaware.

The downhill start was on soft grass, with the riders then tackling the BMX section before travelling uphill behind one of the football pitches before cutting across in front of the trees before heading downhill back to the start line.

The classiest rider on view was under-12 boys’ winner Charlie Craig (Scott UK), whose elder brother Tom won the under-16 boys’ race in the championship proper and whose dad Nick won the veterans’ race to complete an incredible family treble.

The rider with an Otley connection who had the best hope of a medal over the main course was Adela Carter (Team Hope Factory Racing), the former North of England and Yorkshire Points Series winner.

Ex-Otley resident Carter, who now lives in Sheffield, was eighth in the women’s race at 7min 26sec.

Otley Cycling Club’s Ryan Middlemiss was 39th in the under-14 boys’ race at one lap, while clubmate Andrew Moxon was 92nd in the men’s veterans’ race at one lap (41st in the 45-49 years’ category) and Pete Middlemiss was 93rd (42nd) at two laps.