THERE was fast and furious racing as Colchester Rovers members battled it out in the Ixworth Cycle Races.

The popular criterium event, hosted by West Suffolk Wheelers, sees riders of all ages race in front of large crowds through the closed streets of Ixworth, near Bury St Edmunds.

Rovers' Jodie Taylor battled to seventh position overall and first girl in the under-12s category.

Paul Goldsmith was fourth in the men's category four race while Lou Bates, representing Marks Tey-based Velo Schils-Interbike RT, narrowly missed a podium position in the ladies race.

There was a strong Colchester contingent in the first of the Ford CC go race series at Dunton test track.

Rovers' Paul Radley, David Triggs and Stuart Weatherley were in action, along with several VC Revolution (VCR) and Interbike members.

A group of eight riders including Radley, Ian Pearson and VCR's Ian Fraser formed part of a breakaway group of eight early on.

Weatherley took the first three Prime laps before Radley joined him and the pair worked well together to maintain their gap.

With 200 metres to go, Weatherley accelerated cleanly away to win and Radley held onto second to secure an excellent one-two for Rovers.

Rovers' youngsters took part in rounds two and three of the London Regional Youth omnium series.

The event took in the velodromes at Gosling Sports Centre in Welwyn and Brighton's Preston Park.

Rovers' Bradley Taylor (under-tens), Jodie Taylor, Josh White and Jack Emerson (under-12s) and Thomas White and Oli Partner (under-14s) all put in excellent performances, in Welwyn.

Jodie Taylor was first under-12 girl across five races, taking individual wins in the time trial, elimination, scratch, sprint and points races.

Partner put in an excellent attack to take the win in his heat.

Rovers quartet Zoe Swainston (under-12) and Isla Swainston (under-ten) and Tom Carson and Theo Warren (under-14s) competed, at Preston Park.

In her first experience of competitive track riding, Isla Swainston rode very well for fifth in the under-tens.

Older sister Zoe was first under-12 girl, winning four of the five events.

Warren and Carson battled hard in the very competitive under-14 boys' races and went head-to-head in the sprint heats.

Carson sprung a surprise with an early attack that Warren could not quite claw back on the line.

Rovers riders took part in the Maldon & District CC Open 25 mile time trial.

First Rover home was Adrian Manley in one hour one minute 34 seconds, followed by Anna Muir (1h 5m 25s).

Colin White, recovering from recent illness, produced an excellent effort to finish in 1h 36m 55s.