A HORWICH Cycling Club member has just booked a podium place in a top regional competition.

Joseph Peatfield was in action at the Midweek Mountain Bike Madness event at Clayton Vale Manchester (behind the velodrome).

It was the first race in the series and the ex-Bolton Hot Wheels rider got off to a flying start by finishing second.

Speaking after the race, Joseph said: "I was really pleased with this result as I came second out of all categories and was only beaten by Chris Lever who was the North of England senior champion this year.

"I was hoping to finish with a place in the top five.

"I normally race for one hour thirty minutes, so racing for 30 minutes less actually helped me.

"On the second lap in the race I managed to gap a group of riders behind and from that point I felt like I could hold on for second place.

"The course was great, the descents were fast and flowing and climbs were short and steep which suited me well.

"Last year I finished third youth overall but only finished around 15th out of all the categories so I have improved a lot since last year’s race here."

Peatfield insists he will be taking pride from his performance in the race which saw 47 riders compete in his category.

"This has improved my confidence and I hope I can win one of the rounds in the future," he said.

"I didn’t expect to beat so many experienced racers but now I know that I can do it again in the next races

"The next course is more physically demanding and I won’t be able to rely on my skills for this round.

"Therefore it might be harder for me to get a good result."

Peatfield is in good form after impressing during the Nut Cracker North of England Championships and taking five spot in the junior ranks.

He said: "I'm happy with it. The standard of riders was higher than usual as it was a championship race and every rider wanted to win.

"The last race went okay overall, however I struggled in the heat on the first couple of laps after losing my water bottle.

"The course was at Aske Moor in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

"It had been previously used for the National championships so was a technical course with a lot of climbing.

"I am currently second in the junior standings for the overall league."