Wessex League riders led by their senior champion, Stuart Bowers (Hargroves Cycles R.T.), dominated this year's South of England Cyclo-cross Championships, winning four of the six titles.

Thanks to the combined efforts of G.A. Cycles trio, Tony Green, Robin Wilmott and Trevor Hillier, they also won the top team prize as well.

This came in the main race of the day, dominated by Bowers who led from start to finish in what the organiser Steve Thomson of the promoting Swindon R.C. described as "a storming ride."

Bowers, runner-up two years ago and third after puncturing last year, said he "surprised myself" after winning with over two minutes to spare, but his performance was not entirely free of trouble.

"I took a tumble in the woods but had time to get going again without losing my lead," he said.

Like everyone else with a spare cycle in the pits, he changed machines on every lap to avoid the risk of mud clogging his wheels as the surface of the course was churned up. He paid tribute to his helpers who made sure he had a freshly cleaned cycle to ride after he made his first change.

Second placed Jamie Norfolk (Helly Hansen Giant), was unable to claim the silver medal as his team is not affiliated in the South of England and this award went to Sam Gardner (Evans Cycles R.T.) with the bronze going to Mark Russell (V.C. Meudon).

The races for the women, juniors and two veteran titles were incorporated in one event and it ended with former Wessex senior champion Andrew MacDonald (G.A. Cycles) first across the line.

He was over two minutes clear of Mike Bell (London Fire Brigade C.C.), the man who stopped him from winning the under 50s race for the third time last year.

Lydia Gould (Hargroves Cycles R.T.) the world's "masters" champion, took little more than a minute over than MacDonald to win the women's Championship after lapping all her rivals.

Britain's over 50s champion, Les Lloyd (Didcot Photenix), was equally dominating in his age group, while Petersfield teenager Ian Legg (Principia R.T.) also excelled, beaten only by MacDonald on his way to winning the junior title.

RESULTS:

South of England Cyclo-cross Championships, Swindon - 1) S. Bowers (Hargroves Cycles R.T.) 8 laps in 1hr 3m 58s. 2) J. Norfolk (Helly Hansen Giant) 2m 17s. 3) S. Gardner (Evans Cycles R.T.) 2m 30s. 4) M. Russell (V.C. Meudon) 5m 43s. 5) G. Rogerson (Army C.U.) 6m 38s. 6) A. Green (G.A. Cycles) 9m 27s. 7) B. Sanders (Hargroves Cycles R.T.) 10m 22s. 8) R. Wilmott (G.A. Cycles) 1 lap. 9) R. Smith (Team Training). 10) T. Hillier (G.A. Cycles).

Veterans - 1) Andrew MacDonald (G.A. Cycles) 6 laps 51m 5s. 2) G. Booker (Oxonian C.C.) 1 lap. 3) M. Saunders (Hargroves Cycles R.T.)

Women - 1) L. Gould (Hargroves Cycles R.T.) 6 laps 49m 58s. 2) D. Wilkins (Nationwide C.C.) 1 lap. 3) B. Pennell (Army C.U.)

Juniors - 1) J. Legg (Principia R.T.) 6 laps 48m 52s. 2) T. Budd (G.A. Cycles) 2m 6s. 3) I. Field (San Fairy Ann C.C.) 4m 3s.

Under 16s - 1) A. Atkins (V.C. Meudon) 3 laps 29m 50s. 2) D. Lord (V.C. Deal) 1m 38s. 3) L. Thompson (Bikes Plus) 3m.

Under 12s - 1) C. Talbot (Bromsgrove Olympic). 2) R. Thompson (Bikes Plus). 3) B. Goldstrand (Army C.U.)