BRADFORD notched a veterans' cyclo-cross treble in the fourth round of the National Trophy Series at Milton Keynes.

Cononley's Ian Taylor (Jedi Cycle Sport) won the over-40 race around Campbell Park, while Shipley's Chris Young (Pedalsport) took the over-50s race and Bingley's Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) the over-40 women's race.

Taylor's victory on Sunday, when he again proved too strong for nearest challenger Darren Atkins, meant that he retained his series lead.

Once again, both riders stole a march on the rest of the field on the opening lap, while Haworth's Andy Peace – a team-mate of Taylor's – was liking the muddy conditions early doors and was a comfortable third, alongside an improving Chris Rathbone (Naked Bikes Hai Bikes-Imp Sp).

But it was Tim Davies (CC Abergavenny-JP Signs) who proved to be the stronger of the chasing pack and took his first podium of the series behind Taylor and Atkins.

Young showboated across the line to win the over-50s race after proving too durable for Phil Roach (Team Jewson-MI Racing) and Tim Gould (Zepnat).

The former Keighley resident was finding the mud easy to ride and, once clear of the big field of back-markers, looked to have the race sewn up barring any late issues.

Roach and Gould were climbing the steep banks together but Gould slid on the descents on more than one occasion, allowing Roach to ride away for second.

Chris' younger brother Mike (Pedalsport CC) was ninth.

Wilsden's Annie Simpson (Hope Factory Racing) was sixth in a women's race that was bolstered by overseas riders thanks to the World Cup race the previous day.

American Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) crossed the line more than a minute ahead of rivals Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans) and Karen Verhestraeten (Kleur op Maat), who completed the podium.

Holmfirth 17-year-old Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was the best British finisher in fourth, 2min 33sec back, but extended her series lead ahead of the penultimate round in Bradford's Peel Park on Sunday, December 14.

Simpson and Mellor were working well together initially, battling for second place, while Majerus was not far behind.

Majerus overtook the British duo mid-race, despite having tangled with a fence earlier and lost some of her impetus, but she never got to closer than about 150 metres from Compton.

Verhestraeten had steadily moved up and, by the penultimate lap, was just ten seconds behind Simpson and Mellor, while Katrien Thijs (Kleur op Maat) was also chasing hard and would also soon catch Simpson as the high pace proved merciless.

Jackson won the women's veterans' race by 1min 19sec from over-50 winner Tracey Fletcher (Team Empella Cyclo-cross.com).

Eldwick's Sophie Thackray, another Paul Milnes rider, was runner-up in the girls' under-16 race, while clubmate Alfie Moses, from Keighley, was seventh in the junior men's event, which attracted a large crowd as it preceded the UCI World Cup races on Saturday.

The National Trophy series leader, who had won the previous three rounds, was hampered by a series of crashes but his placing was a reward for a tireless display.

Mellor was 17th in the women's World Cup race, with former Otley resident Adela Carter 28th and Simpson 38th.

Bingley's Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) was 21st in the men's race the following day, with Birkenshaw's Billy Harding (Orange Monkey Pro Team) 27th and Bingley's Rob Watson 52nd.

Ben Turner (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was third in the boys' under-16s, with East Bradford Cycling Club's Euan Cameron eighth, while Turner's clubmate Finlay Cooper-Oldroyd was sixth in the under-14 boys.