Phil Liggett leads the Dave Rayner Ride
The world renowned commentator lead yesterday’s jaunt around the Yorkshire dales. The ride is in memory of professional rider Dave Rayner and to raise money to help young British riders with their careers abroad. Our very own ad sales manager Peter Keith braved the trip North. Some pictures to follow later and some news about next year’s ride.

Plucky Dekker wins Paris-Tours Classic
Dutch National champion Eric Dekker won the late season classic yesterday. He had been in a break for 227km, he was caught, then still won the sprint. A classy ride from the ever-attacking road rider who is never afraid to have a go.

Big name Belgians busted
Cyclo-cross superstar Mario De Clerq has been ‘outed’ by Het Nieuwsblad who have reported that the growth hormone Somatropin was found in a search of his house last year. This is a part of a huge investigation into 21 Belgian cyclists whose homes were searched in connection with an alledged drug supply scandal involving a Vet(?!). However, De Clercq’s name has been largely kept out of the investigation thus far, as the central characters have been Johan Museeuw, Chris Peers and Jo Planckaert – who have now all been suspended by the Belgian authorities. All deny any wrong doing. This adds more bad news for Belgian fans following world champion mountain biker Filip Meirhaeghe’s suspension after admitting to EPO abuse.

World ‘cross Cup round 1
The above story obviously has sent a few shock waves through the cyclo-cross peloton. As unfancied Czech rider Zdenek Mlynar won the first round. Mario De Clercq and the Belgian uber-squad did fill the next five places though. Well done to Matt Ellis (GB) who was 32nd, only one minute back.

British Championship Medalists
The National track champions are now decided and many Olympians who missed out in Athens had success in Manchester. Notably: Chris Newton won the Points and the Scratch race and Victoria Pendleton who doubled up in the Sprint and the 500m. Full results:

Youth Championships
Under 12 Omnium (Girls)
1. Laura Trott
2. Hannah Manley
3. Laura Allen

Under 12 Omnium (Boys)
1. Mark Baxter
2. William Couch
3. James Berry

Under 14 Omnium (Girls)
1. Alexandra Greenfield
2. Joanne Wilman
3. Helen Scott

Under 14 Omnium (Boys)
1. Andrew Fenn
2. Alex Aldam-Breary
3. Joss Bentley

Women’s championships
Womens Sprint
1. Victoria Pendleton
2. Kate Cullen
3. Claire Gross

Women’s Scratch Race
1. Katrina Hair
2. Kate Cullen
3. Jacqui Marshall

Womens 500m TT
1. Victoria Pendleton
2. Kate Cullen
3. Katrina Hair

Womens Points
1. Emma Davies
2. Kate Cullen
3. Nikki Harris

Women Pursuit
1. Emma Davies
2. Katrina Hair
3. Lorna Webb

Men’s Championships
Mens Points
1. Chris Newton
2. Keiran Page
3. Dean Downing

Mens Kilometre TT
1. Matthew Haynes
2. Barney Storey
3. Neil Potter

Mens Pursuit
1. Paul Manning
2. Rob Hayles
3. Kristain House

Mens Individual Sprint
1. Ross Edgar
2. Matthew Haynes
3. Marco Librizzi

Mens Scratch Race 20kms
1. Chris Newton
2. Tony Gibb
3. Russell Downing

Team Pursuit
1. Team Persil A
2. Team Persil B
3. Dataphonics

Team Sprint
1. VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts
2. City of Edinburgh
3. Yasumitsu-Schlapp

Editor’s e-mail down
Due to a technical hitch RCUK editor has been unable to pick up mail. If you have had mail bounced please re-try this week if you have been trying to contact the office. This may continue for a few days and sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused.