THERE was double cause for celebration as Hexham cyclists enjoyed great success away from the North-East.

Fergus Robinson (19) secured his first senior road race victory by taking the third round of the East Midlands Road Race Series (EMRRS), while Roisin Lally (14) completed the double by adding the North of England MTB title to the cyclo-cross she won earlier in the season.

It was a big victory for Roisin at Aske, in Richmond, the course to be used for the national mountain biking championships next weekend.

The teenager showed her all-round talent by building on her success in the North of England cyclo-cross event to take the U14 girls’ mountain bike equivalent by more than two minutes.

Her mother Joanne said: “It was an off-road race through a very tricky, single track where you can’t overtake. It was very technical, and there were very scary downhill sections, but that is what she likes.

“She seems to have no fear and just launches herself down, and really enjoys it.”

Fergus, meanwhile, timed his late charge perfectly to help his new club Clay Cross RT to success in the EMRRS, helping his teammates in their goal to win the series outright. Knowing there was a climb up to the finish line, he conserved his energy for the hill and it worked as a treat as he moved up from 15th at the bottom of the incline to champion by the top.

He said: “It was a pretty good feeling to win, and I was very happy with it. I was told about the climb to the finish line, so I played it safe and saved my energy until then, and it all came together. The win has earned me some points towards my first category licence, and it has given me a confidence boost. I now know I can win, so I have got to keep doing it.” In an impressive weekend for Fergus, he added to his points total by finishing sixth in the National B criterium, in Prissick, the following day.