OTLEY'S Thomas Pidcock had a weekend to remember.

The junior men's rider finished in a superb eighth place on his European debut last Saturday before winning in the latest round of the National Trophy cyclo-cross series on Sunday at Durham.

The Oldfield-Paul Milnes Cycles ERT rider shone on his biggest stage at Huijbergen in the Netherlands, crossing the line just 86 seconds behind title winner Jens Dekker, of the host country

Pidcock later wrote on Twitter: "Buzzin' with 8th at cross euro's. 8th ever cross race and first cross race overseas."

Pidcock's Paul Milnes teammate Ben Turner was the next Briton home in 21st, with Dan Tulett (Specialized Racing) 36th.

Pidcock and Turner were rivals again the next day in the third round of the Trophy, alongside early race leader Mark Donovan (Beacon Wheelers).

Donovan and Josh Waters (Sherwood Pines) took the race on from the start, with Donovan showing blistering pace while taking the long line round the far end of the course.

Pidcock and Turner were a little way back, with Calum Fernie (Nottingham Clarion), George Fox (Paul Milnes Bradford), Tom Mein (Derwentside CC) and Harry Yates (Hargroves Cycles-Ridley), but Donovan looked to have the legs on the field.

However, Pidcock chipped away at the leader as the race progressed, and the hard work paid off as he caught and passed him in mid-race, with the Beacon rider unable to respond.

Pidcock was then able to ride his own race, taking the chequered flag some 40 seconds ahead of Turner, who passed Donovan on the run in to the finish straight.

After second place behind Tulett in Southampton and victories in Derby and Durham, Pidcock, who has 114 points has retained his lead in the National Trophy Series, with Turner second on 98 and Donovan third on 76.

Former Otley resident Adela Carter (Hope Factory Racing) was 11th in the elite women's race, while Ethan Whiteside (Ilkley Cycling Club) was sixth in the under-14 boys' race and Thomas' younger brother Joe (Chevin Cycles.com-Trek) was seventh.