A HANDFUL of Colchester Rovers travelled to Hertfordshire as Welwyn Wheelers hosted the Regional Cyclocross Championship for the East and South-East of England.

Organisers made the most of the Stanborough Park setting to include a number of technical challenges, short, sharp climbs and off-camber sections.

The first race of the day was for the under-tens, where Rovers’ George Collins rode excellently to take a well-earned fifth place among the boys, while Matilda Challinor was 12th girl.

In the youth race, Oli Partner had a good outing, picking up 12th under-16 boy, a couple of places ahead of clubmate Dan Hall.

The only other Rovers in action were Andy Hurst and Peter Hall, racing in the veteran 40 to 49 and Veteran 50+ categories.

Both had solid rides, with Hurst 22nd in his race and Hall 31st.

The next cyclocross outing for the Rovers was the Stow Scramble meeting at Ipswich’s Chantry Park - round 12 of the Eastern League.

The morning brought heavy snowfall and many Rovers ended up abandoning their efforts to drive to Ipswich.

Those that made it were met by an unusually white-looking course, with the snow making for heavy going all the way round the circuit.

William Smith rode to an excellent third place in the under-ten boys’ race, while Dan Hall made the most of the conditions to finish fifth in the under-16 boys’ race.

Also in the youth race, Max Avery picked up a good sixth place in the under-14 boys.

The best results in the youth race, though, went to the young female Rovers.

Amelia Hopper got onto a rather snowy podium with her second place in the under-16 girls, while Chloe Ollett was third under-14 girl.

Peter Hall picked up a good 17th in the Vet 50+ race.

Meanwhile, there were bright but very cold conditions for the first race in Lee Valley Youth CC’s winter road series, with riders tackling the tough Hog Hill circuit in temperatures close to freezing. Jake Crossley closed out his under-14 season with a very good ride to claim third place, making his step up to under-16 racing next year an enticing prospect.