Keith Sperry was again was first veteran across the finish line but had to settle for second overall behind junior international rider Thomas Lowe in a combined race for juniors, veterans and ladies.

The race, staged at Sandwell Park, Bromsgrove, was part of the latest round of the West Midlands League.

As the weather deteriorated, Sperry was joined by John Taylor, who finished 45th, and Gaye Taylor, fourth woman and 52nd overall. Adrian Kilworth finished a rewarding 75th after damaging his rear wheel while warming up and raced with the wheel rubbing on the brakes.

Whizz Kid Dom Toner revelled in the sticky conditions as he rode to a season’s best position of 26th in the race for youth riders.

Lone under-10 representative Georgia Toner, suffering from a heavy cold, finished 45th and seventh girl. In the under-12s, Jade Mobbs led the way in sixth and fourth girl, twin sister Ria was tenth and fifth girl. Louis Kilworth secured 16th.

On the previous day John Taylor and George Atkins travelled to Bingham to compete in the Notts and Derby league race.

On a technical course that included slippery camber corners, the duo faced a tough challenge to stay upright. Atkins finished 55th overall while Taylor recovered from an early crash to finish 65th.

More than ‘Whizz Kids’ attended a Welland Valley Go-Ride skills test on Saturday.

The test was based around a 30 metre diameter circle and involves the Whizz Kids having to ride in a straight line, corner, display agility, balance, ride one-handed, dismount and remount.

Test times were: Ross Barnett 31.82secs, Sophie Nicholls 33.82, Jake Hubbard 34.39, Louis Kilworth 34.98, Benjamin Morris 36.74, Matthew McTighe 39.32, Garth Campe 40.10, Morgan Curran 40.61, Dom Toner 41.09, Holly Barnett 41.29, Jack Roginski 42.09, Thomas Wiltshire 42.98, Katie Hubbard 45.48, Josh van Nierop 46.23, Edward Ellingworth 46.77, James Garratt 46.80, Thomas Kemp 46.86, Louis West 47.22, Makayla Askew 48.32, Bryn Guy 48.73, Loki Steele 48.89, Annabel Harris 50.67, Thomas Pymm 51.83, Katy Bell 53.67, Daniel Masters 55.10, Millie van Nierop 55.32, Ebony Goddard 56.43, Adam Bell 57.29, Charlie Williams 60.01, Oliver Haynes 61.24, Joseph McTighe 62.45, Hannah Stewart 62.54, Hannah Smith 62.89, Nicholas Wood 91.86.