Proving his top form of late, Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s Matt Fox, a Keighley resident, sprinted ahead to win the headline event at the Ilkley Cycle Races last Friday, writes Scott Blau.

Despite an emergency medical suspension in the middle of the Lister-Horsfall Grand Prix Race, Fox proved his mettle against the nation’s top riders with a commanding sprint taking him clear of his rivals at the line.

Friday’s event featured five separate races to fill the evening.

Luca Bednarek of Kirklees Cycling Academy won the MAS Design Under 16s boys race, while Abigail Miller of Clifton CC led the girls home.

Miller did not get off her bike after winning the Under 16s girls race, as her stellar performances this season have gained her special permission from British Cycling to race with adults already.

She joined the women's support race and promptly won that as well.

The Wheelbase Men’s Category 2, 3, and 4 Race attracted 80 entrants, with Jake Jackson of Rose Race Team emerging as the winner.

The Ilkley Cycling Club Elite Women’s Race featured top pros from around the country. Millie Couzens of Fenix-Deceuninck (continental pro development squad) took the honours.

Seventy-five riders lined up for the evening’s top event, the Lister-Horsfall Grand Prix.

It featured top professional riders from around the country looking to pick up points for the National Circuit Race Series. After 15 laps, well before the scheduled finish, the race was stopped by British Cycling Commissaires, who are responsible for race protocols and safety.

Far from the hubbub of the start/finish line on the Grove, the emergency services needed to cross the closed circuit to get a local resident to the hospital.

Although a rare occurrence, race officials were able to stop the action, let the ambulance clear the course, then re-line up riders to release them with the exact time gaps that existed when they were stopped.

Within twelve minutes of the stoppage, the race was back on.

The result looked uncertain until Fox put the hammer down on the final straight, to make it his third race victory in two weeks.

Australian Fox, who lives in Keighley, said: “I am over the moon to take the win so close to my ‘home town’.

“I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family, along with local companies backing my journey such as Airedale Group, Cab-tech Bespoke Interiors and Wheelbase Cycles.”