HOMETOWN favourite Ffion James just missed out on defending her junior title at the 2015 British Cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Abergavenny at the weekend, writes Andrew Penman.

The 2014 champion, younger sister of cycling stars Becky and Rachel James, finished third for Abergavenny RC behind Evie Richards (T-Mo Racing) and winner Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes Cycles).

At senior level Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) won his fourth title and Helen Wyman (Kona-FSA Factory Team) took her ninth.

Grant Ferguson (Betch.NL-Superior) made it three consecutive years of winning the men’s under-23 title and Tom Craig (Pioneer-Scott Syncros) also made a successful defence of his junior men’s title in his last year before moving up to the seniors.

Nick Craig (Pioneer-Scott Syncros), Isla Rowntree (Islabikes) and Tim Gould (Zepnat RT) all celebrated victories in the veteran categories.

Field, aged 28, had cited Liam Killeen as his biggest threat in the lead-up to the race and it proved to be correct as the Specialized UK rider finished second. Lewis Craven (Wheelbase Altura MGD) was third.

Meanwhile Wyman saw off the challenge of Nikki Harris to take her ninth British Cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championship.

The 33-year-old, who rides for Kona, beat Young Telenet Fidea rider Harris to the line by 28 seconds.

Annie Last produced a fine performance after a slow start to pick her way through the field to jump from ninth up to third by the end of the second lap.

James was third placed junior and took ninth position in the elite and junior women’s race.

In the men’s veteran race, Nick Craig secured his third win in as many years to take the National Champions title.

Just into the over-45 category, the Pioneer-Scott man rode a superb race to take the win after a strong challenge from Ian Taylor.

Darren Atkins came in third.

Shropshire rider and three-time senior champion Rowntree, 45, beat Maddi Smith (Bolsover and District Cycling Club) and Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes Cycles/Bradford Olympic RC) to the line to take first place in the women veterans race.

And it was Tim Gould (www.zepnat.com RT) that took victory in the veteran over 50 race, the 50-year-old rider getting the better of former senior and veteran champion Chris Young and defending champion, Team Jewson’s Philip Roach.

Youth races for under-16s and under-14s were also held.

For more information and the full results visit http://www.britishcycling.org.uk