Tom Moses did as well as any of his compatriots when he competed in the World Cyclo-Cross Championships last weekend.

The British junior champion from Keighley was keeping up with his ambition of finishing in the top 20 halfway round the six-lap course at Hoogerheide in the Netherlands.

But his finishing position of 32nd was as much to do with a bad starting-grid place as any fallibility from the 16-year-old.

Of his fellow Britons who had impressed in the National Championships at Peel Park, Dan McLay was 40th, Sam Harrison 45th and Otley’s Oli Webster 50th after being delayed at the start.

Oakbank School pupil Moses admitted afterwards: “I felt strong out there but I had a bad first lap as I was so far back from the start due to my gridding.

“I think the groups were all going more or less the same speed but they just split up.

“There were a group of about 15 riders in front of us who were about the same distance away from us every lap and we just couldn’t bridge to them.”

Moses added: “It was fast – much faster than I expected but I loved it out there.

“It was really good and given the chance I’d love to come and have another go next year.”

Bearing in mind that the quartet were all first-year juniors and will therefore all be eligible for the same race in 2010, Great Britain junior coach Martin Eadon said: “The race went pretty well. I would think they’re all pleased with how they rode.

“You have to remember they’re first-year juniors and they have loads of time to improve.” Team manager Simon Burney was more conscious of the gap between the continentals and the Britons.

He said: “It’s the same old ‘here for the experience’ thing but I’ve just spoken to them all and they are all positive about coming back next year.

“They now know they need to come back prepared. Out of the four of them, three of them are definitely up for coming back and doing this properly, and the other one wants to do this properly but if he can’t do the right races, then that’s it.

“They know they can’t just come here and perform having done just our National Trophy races and a few races in Europe over Christmas. They need to do some World Cup races and immerse themselves in the sport.”