Two wins for Matt Webber as snow affects UK cyclo-cross fixtures

Hackney GT rider Matt Webber notched up two cyclo-cross victories in two days over the weekend, winning the Eastern League race on Saturday as well as the London League event on Sunday.

The 38-year-old Londoner won the final round of the Elmy Cycles-sponsored Eastern League at a snowy King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds, crossing the line just 14 seconds in front of his nearest rival, XRT's Ross Tricker, with junior Sean Dunlea (Ciclos Uno) taking third.

And 24 hours later Webber was enjoying victory again, this time in the London League event at Willington School at Dartford in Kent.

Webber won by a more comfortable 50 seconds this time, despite being one of many riders to crash in a tricky wooded section which again included much snow. Jack Finch (PM Racing) took second in that race.

Elsewhere, MTS Cyclesport rider Stuart Wearmouth finally secured a win in the North East Rat Race Series, taking victory in round 14 at Durham University Cricket Club on Sunday.

The 35-year-old had been on the podium seven times in the popular league, but it was eighth time lucky for him despite unshipping his chain early in the race.

He dropped out of the top ten while battling with his chain, but he managed to fight back, hitting the front around half distance and going on to take the win by 45 seconds from Matthew Kipling (Velo 29).

In the final round of the North West League, overall winner Giles Drakesi8gned off in style - and gave his new team colours a great start.

Now riding for Herbalife-Leisure Lakes, the 28-year-old's victory was his eighth of the series and came home ahead of Ian Taylor (Craven Energy) in second.

But the snow proved too much for the organisers of the Central League, who cancelled their race at Hitchin Boys School because of the impact of the weather on the facilities at the Hertfordshire venue.

Similarly, the final round of the Notts and Derby League at Darley Moor in Derbyshire was called off because of the heavy snow.

And much of the circuit racing programme fell victim to the weather, with only the London Bike Show Criteriums going ahead. Racing at Hillingdon, Redbridge, Gravesend and Ludgershall was all postponed.