Confidence is high in the Moses family for this weekend’s National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series in Bradford.
Oakworth-based Tom, 17, and Joseph, 15, head to Peel Park for Sunday’s fifth round with the North of England titles safely under their belts.
Bronte Wheelers rider Joseph was crowned youth champion and Tom, of Team Wallis CHH, was the junior men’s winner on a slippery course last Sunday at Thornes Park, Wakefield.
Oakbank pupil Joseph said: “My main rivals were Ed McParland from Bradley and Adam Martin from the North East.
“I started about fourth wheel and Adam stayed with me as we went away from the field, and I broke him with three laps to go on one of the technical parts.”
Tom said: “It was a very technical, slippery course but there was one chance to blast away down the side of a football pitch.
“The race went better than I expected and I managed to break away from everyone.
“But then I had a bit of a crash and was almost caught by the leading veteran Noel Clough (Fietsen Tempo) but I managed to keep ahead of him.
“It means a lot to me to win it as I missed the race last year due to illness, and I have now won it both as a junior and a youth.”
Tom crossed the line ahead of fellow Keighley rider Chris Young, the former British champion thus lifting the veterans’ title after holding off his long-time rival Clough from Northallerton.
Former Bingley rider Rob Jebb (Wheel-base) was fourth in the senior race, which was won by National Trophy Series leader Paul Oldham (Hope Factory), Otley’s in-form Adela Carter lifting the women’s crown.
Oxenhope’s Matt Denby was third in the veteran 40 category, while Paul Young came third in the junior men’s event behind Moses and Oliver Webster.
Peel Park was where Tom Moses was crowned national champion last January, and he remembered: “The support was massive for the Yorkshire riders and I had a good ride.”
The course should be harder this time as one trip up the stone steps has been replaced by two climbs of the adjacent banking.
But Tom isn’t fazed by this extra bike carrying, the business and leisure student adding: “That suits me fine.”
He can clinch the series this weekend as long as he finishes ahead of Luke Gray, who is second in the standings.
Gray has 96 points from the four rounds so far, with Tom Moses having an impressive 136, his lead being a whole race win of 40 points.
Chris Young (JD Cycles Ilkley) is also a series leader, his advantage in the veterans’ category being 37 points over Philip Roach (Coventry Road Club).
Joseph is also looking forward to tackling Phil Thackray’s course, saying: “I missed it last year as I was on a skiing holiday with school.”
Tom Moses and Paul Young (Glendene Cycle Club/Bike Trax) are away at 10.30am in the junior men’s race, with Joseph Moses’ youth race starting at 11.45am.
Chris Young’s veterans’ race is scheduled for 1pm, with Jebb and company’s senior race starting at 2.15pm. Over 300 have already entered overall, with the under-ten and under-12s’ swelling that number with their on-the-day registration.
The under-ten race starts at 12.30pm and the under-12s at 12.45pm, both of which only use the upper section of the course.
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