Field regains title from rival

Cyclo-Cross

Ian Field clinched his fifth UK National Cyclo-Cross title in Bradford on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Ashford-born rider, now based in Keighley, regained his crown after losing out to rival Liam Killeen at Shrewsbury last season.

The Hargroves-Ridley team member avenged that defeat in another race-long battle with Killeen, eventually winning by 34 seconds, crossing the line in 1hr 3min 48sec.

Paul Oldham finished third, after another close duel with Grant Ferguson, moving clear with three laps to go.

Former Norton Knatchbull pupil Field, who spent Christmas in Ashford with his parents, followed up his National Trophy success – also at Shrewsbury – last month, to win both major titles in the same season for the third time.

Field said: “Every win has its own story – and each is special. Liam was my biggest rival and best of the rest in the Trophy and it was always going to be between me and him on Sunday.

“I got away early to try and put him under pressure, in what were tricky conditions.

“It wasn’t that muddy but we were still changing bikes at the end of every lap.

“I was 47 seconds up on him, going into the last lap but took it easy making sure I got home.”

He added: “I moved up here three years ago to live with my girlfriend Annie and it’s great for training as well. There were so many supporters for me, it was brilliant. There’s no other feeling like pulling on the national championship jersey.

“I felt a lot of pressure being so close to home with friends and family here, so it was nice to put in a solid performance and get the jersey.”

Field is now preparing for his next World Cup challenge in Holland, followed by the World Championships in Luxembourg at the end of the month.