York student Philip Dixon is winging his way to Slovakia to represent Great Britain at the World Cyclo-Cross Championships this weekend.

In the fast lane: York student Philip Dixon is heading for Slovakia to represent Great Britain in the World Cyclo-Cross Championships

The 18-year-old, who is a studying at the University College of Ripon and York St John, is one of five team members selected by manager Steve Douce.

It will be the first time Dixon, who will race in the Under-23 event, has competed at such a high level.

Dixon, who is studying physical education with geography, had to qualify for the event.

This involved taking part in four cycling events in Ipswich, London, Leicester and Bristol in which he achieved third and fourth places.

He has also raced abroad, in Belgium, coming 14th in an amateur race and 21st in a professional event when racing against Belgian Mark Wellands, who's tipped to be the world champion.

Last year, as a junior, he finished 37th in the world and just two minutes and ten seconds down from the world champion.

Dixon said: "My event is a 50 minute race over a 2.7km circuit. I'm taking three bikes with me as cyclo-cross is a winter sport and the tracks are often really muddy, so you're allowed to swap bikes every lap, providing you're in the designated pit areas.

"I'm not racing until Saturday, so I've got chance to acclimatise. It's predicted to be between -3 and -10 degrees in Slovakia.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great experience for me and the team."

Cyclo-cross involves high speed dismount-remount manoeuvres, when the bike can be carried up a steep, muddy hills or when an obstacle on the course cannot be ridden.

Dixon and the team are accompanied on the trip by a team of mechanics, doctors, masseur and press officer.

Meanwhile, Knaresborough RT's annual open reliability trial had two starting points - Rigton railway crossing, near Harrogate, and the Royal York Hotel in York.

The two groups were to join at Bickerton and then head through Cattal, Whixley, Boroughbridge and Dishforth on the way to Ripon, Fountains Abbey, Howe Hill before finishing in Knaresborough.

The larger contingent of Rigton starters arrived at Bickerton a couple of minutes ahead of the York starters, who then attempted to lift their pace in an attempt to catch the other 70-strong group.

Clifton CC's Paul Musgrave was one of only a handful to bridge the gap, the rest opting to conserve their energy for the tougher second half.

Riders found it tough going up Howe Hill with Leeds professional Jon Clay topping the climb with Andy Critchlow (Team Chevin), Dave Thomas (GS Orion) and Mark Scatchard (Knaresborough RT). They were hotly pursued by a small group which included Tom Ford (Knaresborough RT), Keith Murray (Peter Read Racing) and James Cullen (Otley).

The two leading groups got back together to finish first back at Knaresborough.

Other leading locals to qualify on time included York riders Jim and Graham Laycock, John Clarke, Matthew Miller, Roy Brookes (all Knaresborough), Paul Musgrave (Clifton) and Tockwith pair Jim Lee and Angus Trenholme.

The Yorkshire road season starts with the 13-mile Circuit of Kirby Hill, a time trial based at Ripon, on February 20.

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