New champions crowned as Gypsies Green hosts cycling cyclo-cross races

Eleven new champions were crowned as South Shields hosted the British Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championship.

- by Ryan Smith

Vickie Wilkinson, competing in the Masters 40-49 Female, Masters 50-59 Female, Masters 60-69 Female, Masters 70+ Female event.

Gypsies Green, in South Shields, played host to the British Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships for the first time over the weekend.

The two-day event saw 11 new national champions, with previous winners and new faces also securing podium positions.

Competitors took on a 2.8km course which saw them tackle a mix of terrains such as outdoor track, grass, sand, steep hill climbs and muddy drops.

Kate Eedy, from Team Empella, won the Female Masters 40 race while Lucy Siddle, of Reifen Racing, secured first place in the Female Masters 50.

Tracey Fletcher, of Shapo, was at the top of the podium for the Female Masters 60 after she put in an impressive performance to secure the national champion jersey.

Speaking after her win, she said: "I feel very pleased.