Top riders sign up for big Rutland race

The absence of a professional cyclo cross race in Belgium this weekend, because of the World Cup at Roubaix, means two top Belgian riders Rob Peeters and Kenneth van Copernolle are to join the leading British riders at the National Trophy race on the snow-covered Rutland Water course.

The race also takes on more importance after the postponement of last week's National Championships at Birmingham because of the weather.

The race concludes this season's hotly-contested British Cycling National Trophy series, and will now also be the last chance for riders to impress the British team selectors for the forthcoming World Championships in the Czech Republic at the end of the month.

Race organiser Colin Clews, who lives in Wymondham, said: "Several riders who are now going to the Worlds race have found themselves without a race this weekend in Belgium as no organiser there was willing to promote on the same day as the World Cup event.

"So, faced with the choice of travelling or being without a race several of the top Belgians have therefore asked and been accepted to come to Rutland.

"To say I am delighted is an understatement.

"When I received the call from Rob last night, I felt like a village football club secretary receiving a call from David Beckham asking if he could come and play on our pitch."

The programme for Sunday at the Rutland Water venue, provided by Anglian Water, gets under way at 10.30am with the juniors and women's races.

The elite men's race starts at 2.15pm for one hour of furious racing.