National Series mountain bike racing came to Thickthorn, where competitors found it hot work indeed.

Eastern Daily Press: Jimmy Piper from Norwich is third in this sting at Thickthorn Picture: Fergus MuirJimmy Piper from Norwich is third in this sting at Thickthorn Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

Having watched the start of the national road race championship in Norwich, Seb Herrod moved to Thickthorn to take fifth and be the best placed local rider in the Elite races.

On the hard, unforgiving ground Jimmy Piper's gear lever detached and was dangling on the end of its cable. Accustomed to coping calmly with crises from his competitive hang-gliding days, Piper found how to change between two gears and managed with those to finish second in the Vets 50-plus.

Top local Youth (Under 16) finisher was Callum Laborde (12th) with Iceni Velo team-mate Joseph Smith 16th.

The National Series races were spread over two days and the hottest conditions hit the Sport Men's race on Saturday where Mulbarton rider Will Dorsett was top local, in sixth.

Eastern Daily Press: Thetford rider Jodie Cole (Epic Orange) racing atThickthorn Picture: John StylesThetford rider Jodie Cole (Epic Orange) racing atThickthorn Picture: John Styles (Image: Archant)

As the MTB racing finished for the day the CC Breckland 50 was getting under way on the nearby Wymondham-Snetterton course. The fast reputation of the course attracted entrants from far and wide with the winner being Mark Smith of Crawley Wheelers with 1:44:52. Best Norfolk finisher was John Swindells (Iceni Velo, 1:55:55), while from just beyond the border notable rides were done by Dan Bromilow (Ely & District, 1:53:03) and Becky Taylor (Wisbech Wheelers, 1:57:33). The event will probably be most remembered for the 27 riders who started but did not finish.

New East District CA 10-mile champions are Lloyd Chapman (Plomesgate CC) and Cindy Berry (DAP CC). In the re-run of the championship - after the original event was scuppered by high winds - Chapman set a record for the Tottenhill-Bexwell course of 19:46, while Berry's time was 23:44. New junior champion is Jack Watts (Pedal Revolution) whose 22:06 is the fastest on record by an under-18 in this event.

In evening racing at Lotus, Dale Johnston outsprinted Kieran Jarvis for the Senior win while Craig Smith (Cake Gang) won the men's supporting race and Kimberlee Charlton (DAP) that for women.

Eastern Daily Press: The start of the Under 14s race at Thickthorn Picture: JOHN STYLESThe start of the Under 14s race at Thickthorn Picture: JOHN STYLES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich rider Joseph Smith puts air under his wheels at the bottom of theThickthorn drop-off at the National Series MTB racing at Thickthorn Picture: JOHN STYLESNorwich rider Joseph Smith puts air under his wheels at the bottom of theThickthorn drop-off at the National Series MTB racing at Thickthorn Picture: JOHN STYLES (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: North Walsham rider John Swindells (Iceni Velo) at Wymondham in the CC Breckland 50 Picture: Fergus MuirNorth Walsham rider John Swindells (Iceni Velo) at Wymondham in the CC Breckland 50 Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Becky Taylor (Wisbech Whs) on her way to a sub-two hour time at Wymondham in the CC Breckland 50 Picture: Fergus MuirBecky Taylor (Wisbech Whs) on her way to a sub-two hour time at Wymondham in the CC Breckland 50 Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)