HALESOWEN A and CC road team rider Sam Dighton made the long trip to North Yorkshire last Saturday to ride in the National Junior Road Race Championship.

He competed on a very hilly circuit against 100 of the UK's leading juniors.

Dighton, 16, rode a very determined race and was in 26th position towards to end of the race when, owing to being some 10 minutes down on the leaders, he suffered the same fate as many other riders and was obliged to retire from the race.

He was pleased with his ride but disappointed not to be allowed to complete the full distance of the race. He now needs just nine points to become a second category rider.

The following day saw former Halesowen A and CC member Matt Clarke, from Hagley, ride one of the best races of his life to finish 20th out of 138 starters in the Rydale GP held on the same circuit.

The Wheelbase Altura MGD team member spent much of the time at the front of the peloton on the main climbs and rode with strong determination to finish well.