Ian beats strong field

By BikeRadar.com staff

Kent cyclo-cross ace Ian Field took a confident victory in the opening round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series in Wales on Sunday, attacking as he headed into the final lap and winning by ten seconds from his breakaway rivals at Abergavenny.

Field, a 22-year-old who is riding as a first year senior, has plenty of experience having ridden for the GB Academy in several world cup 'cross and mountain bike events - but he needed all his experience to secure victory with a quality field snapping at his heels.

"It was a good race, and panned out pretty much as I expected," he said afterwards. "The series is definitely an aim for me this year. It's been a while since I did a whole series so it'll be good, especially as there are six races this time."

Last years series winner Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) was driving the leading group, but when Field attacked as they reached the pits for the last couple of circuits, he caught his rivals napping and established a lead which he clung on to.

Oldham held off the challenge of Belgian visitor Dave Willemsens to take second spot, but he will be aiming to improve one place when the second round is staged in Devon in two weeks time.

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the British race.