Teenager Theo wins a National Cyclocross title after starting his ride to stardom at the Fenland Clarion Club

Theo Wan, who started his career with the local club, delivered a superb performance to win the Under 16 title at Gypsies Green in South Shields on Saturday, producing a ride of technical excellence and composure to win in dramatic fashion.

Despite being ranked for a second-row start based on national rankings, a rider arriving late to the start ahead of him saw Wan unexpectedly promoted to the final slot on the front row. The opportunity proved decisive, allowing him to launch strongly along the promenade and power up the opening drag onto Gypsies Green, immediately positioning himself at the sharp end of the race.

From the outset, Wan found himself locked in a gripping battle with Wilfred Pugh, the National Trophy Series leader, who entered the race unbeaten all season. The pair quickly broke clear of the field and remained inseparable for much of the race, trading the lead and pushing the pace on a demanding, technical circuit.

The decisive moment came on the final lap, when Pugh slid out on a treacherous off-camber section that had become icy and slippery as conditions deteriorated. A twisted handlebar forced him into the pits, and with Wan’s coach perfectly positioned trackside, the shout of ‘go’ was all he needed. Wan immediately committed to a full-gas effort to the line, riding with total focus and control to secure the victory by approximately 20 seconds.

Throughout the race, Wan was faultless. He rode with remarkable precision, gliding smoothly through the sandpit, hitting every corner cleanly, and never leaving anything to chance. His preparation was meticulous — executing his full pre-ride routine, warm-up, and crucially making spot-on tyre choice and pressure decisions, an essential factor in cyclocross success. Opting for a one-bike race, he trusted his set-up completely and delivered when it mattered most.

The success did not stop with the individual title. With Wan joined by teammates Harry Cooper and Tom Wilks — all three finishing inside the top three riders counted for the team classification — Beeston Cycling Academy also claimed the team prize, underlining the strength and depth of the squad on the national stage.

The atmosphere around the course was electric, with Wan enjoying huge support from friends, family, teammates, and fellow riders. The day after the race, Wan was back at his desk revising for his mock GCSEs, proudly wearing the iconic National Champion’s jersey.

**Fenland Clarion are hosting youth cyclocross racing on Friday (January 16, 6.30pm) at The Embankment Athletic track with entries at £6 taken from 6pm These events suit all abilities with novices always very welcome. All school age youngsters are catered for in two-year age groups and the evening will be finished by 8.30pm. All enquiries to Malc at [email protected].