AN emotional Marie Jackson was the big winner at the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association's celebratory dinner at the Dubrovnik Hotel.

Not only did the Bingley woman receive a trophy as the YCCA's outstanding veteran rider, she was also the latest inductee into the association's Hall of Fame.

Master of Ceremonies Matt Payne, who illuminates National Championship and National Trophy races at Peel Park with his running commentaries, said of Jackson: "Marie was riding when there were only one, two or three veteran women in races, and now there are 30, and hopefully there will be more.

"The veteran women rightly wanted their own races (rather than being a sub-category of the women's race), and the fact that they have pushed for this now means that from next season every National Trophy venue will host a two-day event rather than a one-day event.

"This means that everyone will be riding against their peers."

Jackson, whose partner is multi-champion Chris Young, said of the Hall of Fame induction: "It is a reward for all of my hard work but it is a real surprise and a great honour.

"Chris did a fantastic job in the pits for me!"

Young, who is currently sidelined due to health issues, won the outstanding veteran's award last year so at least it stayed in the same house!

In addition, Marie also received a jersey from the YCCA in recognition of her becoming national over-50 women's champion as she did not pick up an official jersey on the day as there weren't enough entrants.

Tom Pidcock may continue to pick up awards, but he is also developing as a person.

The Otley teenager could not attend the dinner due to a family holiday in Spain.

However, stories are emerging as to how the 18-year-old, who won the junior men's race at last year's UCI World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Luxembourg and the UCI World Cup men's under-23 series this winter, is becoming a changed person.

Pidcock was racing the final World Cup event of the year in Hoogerheide and stuck his foot out at the start, bringing down seven or eight riders, as well as falling himself.

Paul Milnes Cycles' joint team manager Rob Thackray, who accepted the Yorkshire rider of the year award on Tom's behalf, referred to that race in his speech.

He said: "Tom went on to social media and apologised, and it takes guts to do that."

Amazingly, Pidcock recovered to finish second, and tweeted 'Sorry for ruining so many peoples races. Reminds me of 2 years ago as a junior from the back to 2nd, just this time from the bottom of that pile Can’t complain that performance. Fortunately no injuries."

YCCA secretary Fred Rothwell said: "Tom is not only maturing as a rider but also as an ambassador for the sport."

Meanwhile, Skipton's Ian Taylor was handed a Yorkshire cyclo-cross top as part of his reward for winning the men's veterans' over-40s category in the Kinesis Winter Points Series.

Taylor won the rounds at Bedale, Skipton, New College (Huddersfield), Thornes Park and Shibden.

Shipley's Young won the men's over-50s category, despite missing the New College and Yorksport rounds.

Young, who picked up the young rider of the year award on behalf of his nephew Jenson, won the Middleton, Bedale, Skipton, Thornes Park, Shibden and Myrtle Park races.

Other champions included Amira Mellor (senior women), Jack Clarkson (senior men), Birkenshaw's Billy Harding (under-23 men), Matt Taylor (junior men), Ben Houlihan (under-16 boys), Chloe Hinchliffe (under-16 girls), Riley Blackmore (under-14 girls) and Hermione Pickering (under-14 girls).