HOPE Factory Racing rider Jack Clarkson has declared his season a success after claiming national championship silver just a week after missing out on the national trophy title.

Cyclo-Cross ace Clarkson went into the final round of the trophy series with the leaders green jersey but a disappointing performance in Derby, where he finished 10th overall and third in the under-23 category, meant he surrendered the title to Ben Sumner.

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But Clarkson, in his last year as an age-group rider, exacted a measure of revenge when he saw off a Sumner challenge in Wales on Saturday to finish second in the under-23 national championships behind winner Grant Ferguson who secured a third straight triumph.

“I am pleased with the season when I look at it,” said Clarkson, who rides for the Barnoldswick-based Hope squad but lives in Halifax.

“I have won the Yorkshire Series, I am North West champion, I was second in the national trophy and second in the under-23 national championships. I am pleased with that.

“It’s just slightly annoying because I had the leaders’ jersey in the trophy and lost it. If I hadn’t had the jersey I probably wouldn’t think too much about it but because I was wearing it for the first time in my career and then lost it in the last race it is annoying.

“But I know now that I can respond with a strong performance. I kept myself upbeat after the trophy and rode a strong race in Wales. It was always going to be tough to beat Grant. He is not unbeatable but he is going very well at the moment.”

Clarkson led on the opening lap in Abergavenny before seeing Ferguson attack. The Hope star then rode with Sumner and distanced him with four laps to go to secure second spot.

His team-mate Michael Thompson finished in fifth place.

Clarkson said of the Wales ride: “I rode without any pressure at the weekend and it suited me. I just treated it like a normal bike race and it paid off.

“Grant was untouchable, he was phenomenal with that speed, early doors. Billy Harding and Ben Sumner got a small gap on me so I had to get that back which took a bit out of me.

“I knew I had to get a gap on Ben once we were together. I found myself riding the technical parts better then him and found myself in front of him so I just had to go. This is my first podium at a nationals so I’m happy.”

In the elite men’s race Hope Factory Racing’s Robert Jebb was ninth with Daniel Booth 16th while Annabel Simpson was eighth in the women’s race.