BURLEY-in-Wharfedale’s Alison Kinloch has been named as the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association’s veteran rider of the year for 2018.

The PH-Mas/Paul Milnes/Oldfield member picked up her silverware at the association’s gala awards dinner at the Dubrovnik Hotel in Bradford.

Guest speaker Matt Payne, the man behind the mic for running commentaries on cyclo-cross events at Peel Park and elsewhere, said: “One rider has stood out over the season in what is an incredibly competitive category.

“She has been up against world champions, former world champions, European champions and has taken the battle to them, and that is Alison Kinloch.”

She was sixth in the National Championships last January at Houghton-le-Spring, finished fourth in the six-round National Trophy series for 2017-18 and dominated the over-40 women’s section in the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association Summer Series.

Jenson Young, nephew of Shipley’s Chris Young, won the Young Rider of the Year, but was unable to collect the award in person as he was riding in Belgium.

Chris Young, who collected it instead, said: “Jenson has had some good races and has improved.

“He doesn’t always listen to what I say, but no pain, no gain and his non-selection for the World Championships was a bit controversial.”

Huddersfield’s Matt Taylor was named Rider of the Year, and Payne said: “He has just got better and better and is sticking it to the senior riders as an under-23, regularly finishing in the top 12.”

Once again there was a live video link to rider Tom Pidcock in Belgium, with the world-class rider admitting: “I would come back to compete at Peel Park if there was a national or international event there.”

Pidcock, who is now part of his own team, TP Racing, added: “It is always muddy there and I would like them to keep the technical downhill sections on the big banking, but what I really like riding on is sand.”

Payne reminded the audience that volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport – indeed any sport - while Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association secretary Fred Rothwell wished Ian Spencer, of Shibden Cycling Club, all the best in getting the road circuit proposal for Wyke to reach fruition now that the Richard Dunn Sports Centre circuit was closing down.