A HORWICH Cycling Club rider has took a podium spot in a top north of England race.

Joseph Peatfield was involved in the Nutcracker series which is a cross country mountain bike event across Yorkshire, the North West and North East.

There are six rounds starting at Whinlatter, Cumbria in March and finishing at the Dales bike centre in Richmond in September.

But it was at the most recent race where the ex-Bolton Hot Wheels rider tasted success.

He said: "It was a Dalby Forest on the world cup circuit.

"There were 14 juniors (under-18s) racing but more than 250 were in action in different categories.

"My goal was to improve on my position from the last round at Whinlatter which was sixth.

"I finished third despite the field of riders is a lot higher standard as it is a big series, making the racing faster and harder.

"As the course was used for the world cup, it consisted of lots of technical descents, and then lots of steep climbing to make up the elevation lost on the descents, therefore you are constantly flat out with little recovery.

"I am really happy with the results as it was first podium of the series."

Even though he recorded an impressive result Peatfield believes he will continue to develop in future.

He said: "I struggled towards the end of the race so I think my endurance could be improved to help this.

"As I only started racing mountain bikes last year I feel as though my skills have improved massively on the technical descents, as my confidence has increased a lot.

"But I want to finish off the nutcracker series, then I will also be racing a few rounds of the National series and a local Midweek mountain bike series."

Peatfield also competes in cyclo-cross during winter.

He said: "I prefer to race cyclocross because the races are shorter and faster.

"I raced cyclocross over the winter but not mountain bike as that only takes place in summer.

"The cyclo-cross event went well; I was 1st junior overall in the North West League as well as contributing to winning the team prize.

"I came second in the North of England championships and I also raced a number of National events where by best result was 14th."