CHRIS Oldham from Colne took a bronze medal in the Grand Veteran Men's category of the fourth and penultimate round of the RAV4 National Mountain Bike Series.

Organised by the British Cycling Federation and sponsored by Toyota, the event attracted over 400 of the UK's top cross-country mountain bikers to Hamsterley Forest, County Durham. The event was held over a gruelling six-mile circuit, a course that took in numerous water crossings, lung-searing climbs and descents worthy of downhill skiing status.

Oldham completed the three laps of the Hamsterley course in a time of 2mins 7secs.

Nick Craig (Diamond Black Racing) one of the UK's most successful cross-country mountain bikers on the international circuit, proved yet again that he had what it takes. Starting conservatively, Craig was lying 10th on the first lap. At two laps of the four-lap event Craig had amazingly worked his way to the front with only Leicester's Carl Sturgeon (Team Raleigh) having the lungs and legs to stay on contention. Sturgeon was having his best race of the season, however, it was to be Craig's day, after he lifted the pace again over the last lap.

Epsom's Barrie Clarke (Team Raleigh), the series leader before the race, was finding it hard going. Lying in fourth at mid-point, Clarke had it all to do. He knew that series points were at stake, and that a finish outside of the podium was not an option if he wanted to stay in contention for the RAV4 National Series win.

With this in mind, Clarke dug deep on the final lap overhauling Lancashire's Ian Cuthbertson (Merlin/Rock Lobster) taking the bronze, placing him second in the series behind Craig.

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