The majority of Welwyn Wheelers enjoyed a trip to the zoo on Sunday as Whipsnade hosted round eight of the Central Cyclo-cross League.

Although that said, enjoyed might be a stretch as the long grass on the new course made for some strength-sapping races.

They did have fine weather though and it was the Wheelers who dominated the various youth races with some excellent bike-handling skills.

Xavier Knott was third in the opening U10 race but that was just the start as dynamic duo Rupert Cavill and Fin Woodliffe recorded a one-two finish in the U12 event race with Dillon Knott just behind in fifth.

Elice Whittaker was also fifth in the girls’ race.

Calum Moir was the next Wheeler on the top step of the podium when he won the U14 boys race and Millie Coleman rode well to take second in the girls’ event.

And the Welwyn side locked out the top four places in the U16 girls’ race, Iona Moir leading in Eva McCabe, Ella Coleman and Sasha Blendis.

Euan Woodliffe was able to put his hands in the air at the end of the U16 boys’ race, attacking in the latter stages of the last lap to drop his breakaway partner and win by around 50 metres.

Toby Brown was sixth for Welwyn.

The largest race of the day was in the 40+ age group with well over 100 riders. Keith Stockwell was the top Wheeler in 23rd place while John Cavill came 36th.

Oli Stockwell completed the wins for the Wheelers in the junior boys’ race while Louis Sutton was seventh and Archie Peet 11th.

In the 50+ event, Garry Blackmore was 37th but Chris Murphy was a non-finisher due to a mechanical problem.

One day previous a small number of Wheelers rode the Eastern League race at Bury St Edmunds.

Fin and Euan Woodliffe won the U12 and youth race, with Nathan Hardy (eighth) and Caelen Miller (11th) following the latter home, while Daniel Elliot was sixth in the U10s.

It promises to be another busy weekend this week with round three of the British Cycling National series event taking place at Ardingly in Kent.

There will be Welwyn involvement with Joe Kiely looking to recapture sole lead in the U16 category.