COLCHESTER Rovers achieved some excellent results across the age categories in the third round of the Mud Sweat and Gears series, at Henham Park.

They impressed in what was a tough test around the three courses, with the highlight of the day the running of the very first balance bike race where the stars of tomorrow started their cycling journey.

Rovers riders young and old came to support and assist in a successful new concept with three races run.

All riders were presented with certificates and called to the podium, including Rovers debutants Lily Davey, Esme Emerson and Lucy Ollett.

In the under-nine girls', Phoebe Ollett continued her strong start to the season with a fine ninth place whilst William Smith and George Collins raced hard in the under-nine boys' race, finishing eighth and 11th respectively.

The under-12s set off on a section of the adult course and needed to use all of their skills to navigate a combination of hills and sweeping single track.

Bradley Taylor rode well for 14th place in a tough under-12 boys' category, where Colchester's Max Rethman secured a podium place riding for the Hadleigh MTB club.

In the under-12s girls', Lizzie Wellstead (sixth), Daisy Emerson (ninth) and Matilda Challinor (tenth) could not break the dominance of second-placed Chloe Ollett, who remains on the overall podium in the series standing.

In the Juvenile Male race, Jack Emerson fought to a good 12th place, a couple of spots up on Oliver Wellstead who finished two places ahead of Jack Letch and Dan Hall.

Martin Smith produced a good ride in the Open Male category - his 21st-place finish put him a short way ahead of Rovers club-mates Chris English and Simon Toplis.

Rovers' MTB secretary Peter Philips finished lower down the rankings alongside Paul Smith, John Letch and Paul Fisher.

Stuart Weathley produced another strong ride in the tough Sport Male race, narrowly missing out on the podium.