ALFIE Moses has the North of England cyclo-cross title safely in his grasp and is bidding to make it four wins from five starts in the National Trophy on Sunday.

The Keighley teenager also has the added bonus of it being held on his doorstep – in Bradford.

"Peel Park is my favourite course," said the Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC rider.

"Also, I get a lot of support at National Trophy level, but even more when it comes to Bradford.

"I finished fourth there last year in the youths – I didn't ride a good race – but there is a possibility that I can seal the National Trophy Series title this weekend."

Moses has 138 points to closest rival David Barnes' 106 and his form this season is all the more impressive as he has just moved up to the junior men's category. He won the opening three rounds at Shrewsbury, Southampton and Durham before a seventh-placed finish at Milton Keynes.

He explained: "I didn't get a good start and arrived at the first corner in seventh place. Then someone crashed in front of me and I went flying over him into a post, bruising my shoulder and neck.

"I have watched it on YouTube and it is quite funny. It has had 1,684 hits (make that 1,685). But I recovered in time for the Northern Championships."

They were held at South Shields on a course that was dry and frosty.

Moses said: "As only people from the north can qualify, it had a smaller field than for a Trophy race – about 20 – but there were still some quality riders in there, such as Tom Seaman (Nutcracker Racing).

"It was my aim to get to the first corner ahead, and I did, and a couple of corners later I had a four-second gap – and I increased that by the end of every one of the eight laps and won by 2min 40sec."

The podium was completed by Joseph Peatfield (Horwich CC) and Finlay Robertson (Derwentside CC).

Eldwick's Sophie Thackray (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was the leading under-14 girl, while Bingley's Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing) was fourth in the men's race, which was won by team-mate Jack Clarkson from Halifax.

Moses' clubmate Amira Mellor won the women's race and was the leading junior girl.

Birkenshaw's Billy Harding (Orange Monkey Pro team), a former Peel Park winner, is sixth among the under-23 men. But the best hopes, Moses apart, lie with veteran trio Chris Young (Pedalsport CC) of Shipley in the over-50s, Ian Taylor (Jedi Cycle Sport) of Cononley in the 40-49 years and Bingley's Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) among the women.

Fellow Paul Milnes riders Ben Turner and Sophie Thackray are third in the under-16 boys and girls' categories respectively, while East Bradford Cycling Club's Euan Cameron is ninth among the boys.

Sunday's schedule – 10.15am veteran men's 40-49 years; 10.16 veteran men's over-50s; 11.15 under-14 boys; 11.16 under-14 girls; 12.00 under-16 boys; 12.01 under-16 girls; 1.20 junior men; 1.21 elite & junior women; 1.32 veteran women; 2.30 elite & under-23 men.