STUART BOWERS (Hargroves Cycles RT) made light work of the opposition in the penultimate round of the Wessex Cyclo-cross League to retain his title with his eighth win of the season.

It was a predictable victory in the event organised by Oxonian CC on the playing fields of Oxford School in Cowley - despite the presence in a field of 50 of past champion Jamie Norfolk (Giant RT).

What was unexpected was Bowers's selection for the next World Cup race, in Holland on February 16 - in recognition of his successes earlier in the season which included the south of England title in December and a tenth placing in the British Championships this month.

Describing Sunday's success, Bowers said: "I went hard from the start as planned and, though Jamie tried to close the gap, he tired after two laps and I was 20 seconds faster than he was on each lap after that."

Bowers was over a minute faster than most of the other competitors, lapping all but six to finish over four minutes ahead of all but Norfolk. But teammate Ben Saunders needed a faster sprint to beat junior winner Ian Legg (Principia RT) after the pair had a race-long duel.

While Bowers was making sure of his second Wessex title, a third place for Tony Green (GA Cycles) assured him of the bronze medal and Peter Dibben (New Forest CC) pulled further ahead of his brother, Jonathan, with another win in the under-12s race, but a new name emerged victorious in the youth event.

Gregory Devine (Salisbury RC) has been racing regularly in Wessex League meetings this season and his persistence paid off with his first win since joining his present age group.

Fifteen Sotonia CC members were up bright and early on the morning after their prize presentation dinner for the fourth of six winter reliability rides, and a rising breeze during the morning assured them a comfortable return half which blew in their favour from Grateley.

Road race and hill climb champion Richard Burch joined forces with Rowan Horner (VC St Raphael) and Paul Ruta (Team Velo Vet) to reach the finish at Romsey in little more than two and a half hours and Keith Mack maintained his 100 per cent success rate in these rides by taking less than ten minutes longer to complete the 50-mile route within a minute or two of several clubmates. Results:

Wessex Cyclo-cross League, Oxford: 1 S Bowers (Hargroves Cycles RT) 9 laps in 54.2, 2 J Norfolk (Giant RT) @ 1.42, 3 A Green (GA Cycles) @ 4.2, 4 D Jamieson (Cheltenham & County CC) @ 4.34, 5 B Saunders (Hargroves Cycles RT) @ 5.13, 6 I Legg (Principia RT) in same time, 7 A MacDonald (GA Cycles) @ 5.41, 8 P Lloyd (Didcot Phoenix) @ 1 lap, 9 I Macdonald (Hargroves Cycles RT), 10 T Budd (G A Cycles).

Youths: 1 G Devine (Salisbury RC) 4 laps in 24.37, 2 N Jones (Team Keyne) @ 1.38, 3 T Butt (Chapel Tri-Stars) @ 3.36, 4 J Green (GA Cycles) @ 1 lap.

Under 12s: 1 P Dibben (New Forest CC) 10.30, 2 L Gray (Dorset Rough Riders) @ 7s, 3 J Dibben (New Forest CC) @ 22s.