THE second round of the 2017 HSBC British National Cross Country Series took place last weekend at Wasing Park in Berkshire, hosted by Pedalon Army cycling.

The long drive didn’t put off many Scottish riders to attend and on practice day on the Saturday a good representation of young riders from many Scottish clubs were spotted practicing the course.

The course consisted of a 5.4km loop around the beautiful forest of Wasing Park Estate, blooming with bluebells at this time of the year.

Although a flattish course with only 100 metres of elevation per lap, it didn’t lack technical features with roots aplenty and many interesting challenges to negotiate such as the Triple Challenge, the Chain Breaker, and the Steps or the Quarry.

The dry conditions on Sunday made the course fast and unforgiving for any mistakes.

The youth and juvenile race was the first one on Sunday morning and three Peebles Cycling Club riders enjoyed success with Corran Carrick-Anderson finishing second in the Juvenile male behind Freddie Birchie (Southfork Racing). Joe Kiely (Welxyn Wheelers CC) was in third place.

In the girls Juvenile race Elena McGorum managed to secure a convincing third place behind Charlotte Louise McGreevy (WXC World Racing) and Anna Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT).

In the female youth race Peebles rider Anna McGorum had a strong ride and finished second after losing the sprint finish to Maddie Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT), but still nearly one minute ahead of third placed Edinburgh rider Anna Flynn (ERC).

The young Scots podiums placings were completed by an impressive first place in the Youth male category by Charlie Aldridge from Stirling Bike Club.

Other Peebles Cycling Club riders at the event were Callum Thornley who rode a superb race starting at the back of the grid to finish sixth Juvenile male, Russell Brown who didn’t have the luckiest of days and didn’t finish his race due to a crash, Emily Wilkinson who was12th Youth Female, and sister Megan Wilkinson who was10th in the Junior Females.