CRAWFORTH BACK IN TROPHY LEAD

Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles RT), the National Trophy winner for the past two seasons, is back at the head of the season-long cyclo-cross series despite being edged out by Rob Jebb (Wheelbase RT) in today?s fourth round at Peel Park, Bradford.

Jebb, the six-times Three Peaks winner, grabbed his chance when Crawforth took a tumble halfway round the seventh and final lap of the 1.5-mile circuit.

Crawforth crossed the line five seconds behind Jebb, but it was enough to put him in the Trophy lead after previous front runner Ian Bibby had scratched from the Bradford event with a cold after competing in the European championships in Holland on Saturday.

Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles), who a week earlier had retained his South of England title at Southampton, was a further two seconds back in third place.

Jebb, Bowers and Crawforth had gone clear of the field early in the race. Dave Collins (Scott UK) got across to them but crashed for a second time in the event.

Crawforth got clear by 20 yards as they started the final lap, but Jebb went straight past when the Evans rider crashed midway round the lap. Meanwhile, former national champion Nick Craig (Scott UK) caught Crawforth and Bowers in the closing stages but was unable to get past and settled for fourth place.

Overall, Crawforth is now back on top from Phil Dixon (Trek-SiS) and the new Midlands champion Danny Booth (Pedal Power RT), who finished fifth and seventh respectively at Bradford.

National Trophy.- Round four, Peel Park, Bradford.- Rob Jebb (Wheelbase RT-Ron Hill) 10.5 miles in 57-16; 2, J. Crawforth (Evans Cycles RT) at 5sec; 3, S. Bowers (Hargroves Cycles) at 7sec; 4, N. Craig (Scott UK) at 18sec; 5, P. Dixon (Trek-SiS) at 31sec; 6, L. Craven (Wheelbase RT) at 41sec. Overall.- Jody Crawforth 164 pts; 2, P. Dixon 155; 3, D. Booth (Pedal Power RT) 132.