WYRE Forest Cycle Racing Club's promising youngster Alex Tinsley showed his exciting potential with victory in round four of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League.

The Wyre Forest-promoted event was held on a testing course at Hurtle Hill Farm, Dunley, with the wind and rain making it tough for the riders.

But Tinsley took total control in the slippery conditions, putting in a superb effort and finish in fine style ahead of second-placed Joshua Papworth, of Halesowen A&AC, and Lichfield City CC's Stuart Clayton in third.

In the seniors event, Mark Leyland rode strongly to finish third overall, followed closely by fourth-placed Pete Banham, who produced his best result in the league so far.

Peter Yates rode well for seventh with Elliott Dinsdale 11th and Warren King 23rd. The veterans race was fiercely contested with Joe Rowe taking fourth overall and winning his 50-plus age category, while Mike Cooper crossed the line in 44th place.

Meanwhile, Rowe was in fantastic form to finish fourth in round one of the National Trophy Cyclo Cross series at Cheltenham.

He overcame a slow start to fight through the field and narrowly miss third place in a sprint to the finish.

In the seniors event, Dan Harding put in a good effort to finish 25th overall in a quality field, followed by Banham in 44th place, with Leyland 49th and Dinsdale 50th.

Rowe achieved his first National Trophy podium place of the season with third place in round two in Ipswich.

He produced a powerful display of riding to finish just one minute behind National Champion Roy Hunt of SIS.com, who took the victory.

Harding battled it out with the best riders in the country in the seniors race and finished in a very respectable 26th place.

Phil Blacker celebrated a fine victory in the final round of the National Firefighter Mountain bike series at Cannock Chase.

The 40 riders were deluged by a strong downpour, making the course slippery.