IT WAS a course that promised to favour the strong and the brave - and they got muddy.

In a weekend of gloopy, sticky mud and shoe swal- lowing holes, the National Cyclo-Cross Championships returned to Southampton after a 13-year hiatus.

The city welcomed Britain's elite racers as they saddled up and took part in the biggest event in the UK cyclo-cross calendar.

And, indeed, it lived up to its reputation as the weekend of races, drummed up some astonishing performances from those who dared to tackle the 2.7km fearsome challenge at the Southampton Sports Centre.

Hundreds of spectators and 400 competitors braved the weather and enjoyed the mud-filled event that saw cyclists of all ages and levels peddling for success.

Saturday's racing saw the veteran and youth classes taking to their bikes, although they may have fared better in boats as the rain led many to describe it as more of a powerboat race!

On Sunday, the rain held off and the sea of mud eased a little for the women's championship, the junior men's championship and the big event, the senior men's championship.

And it was Philip Dixon, riding for Trek-SIS, who won the senior men's title, with an impressive and faultless display, leading from the start and maintaining a 20-second lead for most of the race.

Philip said: "It was very muddy out there.

"It was a great win for me - I had a good start and I didn't panic, which was the key.

"I rode my own race, going at my own pace, towards the end really putting in the hard work.

"I led from the beginning and didn't make any mistakes."

Geoff Shergold, one of the organisers, said: "It was a very exciting weekend.

"This was the muddiest course the cyclists have had to ride for a few years but a lot of them said they thoroughly enjoyed it.

"A lot of towns want this race, because it is the most prestigious in the cross-cycle calendar.

"The last time we hosted it in Southampton, it was only a single day race, but now its become a whole weekend of events.

"Over 400 competitors took part - that is more than ever and many said what a wonderful facility our sports centre is."

Paul Sheaming, manager of the sports centre, said: "This was a fantastic event and it's not very often we get something that's great for the whole of the city.

RESULTS Women's Elite 1 Helen Wyman (Global Racing Team), 2 Gabriele Day (Global Racing Team), 3 Isla Rowntree (Stourbridge CC).

Junior Women 1 Amy Thomson (Evans RT).

Men's Elite 1 Phil Dixon (SiS-TREK), 2 Nick Craig (Team SCOTT UK), 3 Rob Jebb (Wheelbase).

Men's Under 23 1 Ian Bibby (SiS-TREK), 2 Ian Field (SiS-TREK), 3 Ross Creber (Evans RT).