Fergus MuirHugo Robinson lit up the depths of our winter by taking a splendid win in the national youth championship cyclo-cross in Birmingham. Robinson, only just turned 15 and from Ashfield-cum-Thorpe in north Suffolk, hit his best form at just the right moment.Fergus Muir

Hugo Robinson lit up the depths of our winter by taking a splendid win in the national youth championship cyclo-cross in Birmingham.

Robinson, only just turned 15 and from Ashfield-cum-Thorpe in north Suffolk, hit his best form at just the right moment. He had not won a national trophy race this season, and had endured the tension of a four-week postponement after the car parking area -rather than the circuit - was rendered unusable by the January snow.

On Sunday, in the re-arranged championship Robinson (Ipswich BC) was not quick off the start line and for a moment looked doomed to spend the race chasing the leaders - Sam Lowe, Ed McParland and Jonathan Dibben.

But after half a lap he joined up to make it four at the front, and on the second lap he and Sam Lowe (Raleigh/Avanti) opened a clear gap. On the last lap Lowe's front wheel slipped from under him at the bottom of a small 'bombhole' causing Lowe to run up the exit while Robinson could ride. Robinson put the hammer down and pulled out a spectacular 17 seconds lead at the chequered flag.

'I'm dead chuffed,' said Robinson. 'It (the championship) is the best win anyone can have.'

Former King's Lynn CC rider Helen Wyman dominated the women's championship, in which Anna Buick (Thetford MTB) was 10th. Dad Phil was 21st in the big field of veterans over the age of 50 and sister Imogen was sixth in the Under-16s.

Ian Bibby won the senior men's title race, where Michael Raven finished 21st ahead of several big names. Raven felt he benefited hugely from a practice lap on which Extreme Sports Therapy team mate Shaun Aldous showed him how to make the best of the fast corners on grassland that were the main characteristic of the course.

t The VC Norwich held their dinner and prize presentation at the Unthank Arms in Norwich.

Mike Auger and Thomas Doe were winners of the senior and junior road race shields respectively. The men's road team, also including Phil Hargreaves, Dieter Rowe, Neil Vaughan, Chris Bartlett and Mark Farrow took fifth place in the Eastern Road Race League. Time trial awards were shared between Roger Graham, Stewart Lyons and Sally Withey. Kate Scotter was awarded both the mountain bike trophy and the ladies' road race shield.

'End of an era' was the phrase club secretary Rob Smith used as he announced that Terry Grint, whose Fitt Signs business has sponsored the club for the past 22 years, was passing on that responsibility to Pedal Revolution and Norfolk Motor Group.

VC Norwich is best known for its well-supported club rides. With major road works affecting their former meeting place, runs now start from outside The Forum at 9.30 on Sunday mornings. Newcomers are welcome.

t At Godric CCs dinner in Bungay, East District Best All-Rounder Lee Bark was the guest of honour.

Newsletter editor Jim Caplin was presented with the Edna Wigby Rosebowl for service to the club, while cooking the club's Christmas lunch in person was an unusual task that won the Gong Trophy for John Pugh. Rider of the Year was young Courtney Elmy. Dad Mark took the 50-mile cup and the evening events shield and Mike Hudspith belied his time trial forum 'handle' of Morpheus to take the 10 and 25 mile awards with outstanding rides.

Early next morning Godric CC's Adrian Perkin, looking remarkably fresh, was pedalling south to attend the Tricycle Association East's lunch at Bradfield Combust, where he was the principal prizewinner, while at the Wolsey Road Club lunch born-again racing man Robert Quarton was club champion.