GOLD AT LAST FOR LONDON

AFTER gaining silver or bronze medals three times in the past four seasons, the London Cyclo-Cross Association were finally rewarded with gold in today?s Inter Area Teams Championships at Bicton Arena, near Budleigh Salterton in Devon.

London, who were regaining the title they last held in 1992, were led home by Jamie Newall, third in the individual race behind South of England champion Stuart Bowers, riding for Wessex, and Welsh rider Ben Simmons.

Matt Holmes, Dylan Thompson and Darren Barclay were London?s other counters in an event in which the top four from six nominated riders qualify.

Despite not having a man in the top six individual places, the promoting South West Area took the silver medals, led by junior Guy Wilkins, while Bowers and his Wessex team-mates salvaged bronze.

Inter Area team ch?ships.- London (Jamie Newall, Matt Holmes, Darren Barclay, Steve Hambling) 25 pts; 2, South West A (G. Wilkins, S. Sage, R. Wyle Smith, N. Lumb) 49; 3, Wessex (S. Bowers, M. Groves, M. Warner, C. Atkins) 53, Individual result.- Stuart Bowers 10 miles in 1-00-00; 2, B. Simmons (Wales A) at 1-59; 3, J. Newall at 2-13; 4, L. Williams (Wales A) at 2-52; 5, M. Holmes at 5-03; 6, P. Banham (West Midlands) at 5-33.