The Great Britain Cycling Team got off to a flying start at the UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships in ‘S-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, yesterday when Thomas Mein and Cameron Mason won the silver and bronze medals respectively in the under-23 men’s race.

Race favourite and reigning world champion Ryan Kamp, competing in his home country, put in a strong start and held a consistent, fast pace to inch away from the competition and take the victory. Thomas and Cameron were at the front throughout, and with no tactical features to help make a decisive move it was a test of strength to get to the finish line, which Thomas crossed twelve seconds down with Cameron one second behind him.

Speaking after the race, silver medallist Thomas Mein said: “That was brutal! The hardest race of the season I think, even though it’s a shorter under-23 race it was still full-gas from start to finish.”

Bronze medallist Cameron Mason said: “I’m very happy with that. I knew my legs were good, but the course was just flat out and once I’d caught up with Thomas I knew I needed to keep pushing my pace on because as soon as you let up then you can start making mistakes, so yes – very, very happy with that.”

Elsewhere in the under-23 men’s field, Toby Barnes finished in 13th, Lewis Askey in 16th, Rory McGuire in 19th, Oli Stockwell was 29th, Dan Barnes was 31st and Tom Couzens was 35th.

The elite women were also in action today with Ffion James finishing in 21st place and Amira Mellor in 22nd. The Dutch trio of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Annemarie Worst and Lucinda Brand filled the podium.

The Great Britain Cycling Team will be back in action tomorrow in the under-23 women’s race.