Sleaford's Thomas stars in breakthrough season
A cyclist from Sleaford has completed a successful breakthrough season in the British Cycling Lloyds National Cyclo-Cross Trophy series.
Thomas Cragg, who started out in the sport with Sleaford Wheelers Cycling Club as a four-year-old, was competing as a second year under 16, placing third overall in the National Trophy Series
He won three podium places and top ten finishes in the rest of the six rounds, while in the National Championships at South Shields in January he was sixth in his age group.
His highlight of the 2025-26 season was being presented with ‘In the Spirit of Charlie Craig Trophy’ after competing in the Inter-Regional Championships round five at Bradford.
This brings together teams from all over the United Kingdom to compete all weekend.
The trophy was voted for by all the Inter-Regional team managers and was presented the parents of the multiple national champion in cyclo-cross and mountain biking.
Thomas said: “I am honoured to be the first male rider to win this trophy in memory of Charlie Craig, an aspiring Derby rider who at my age sadly went to sleep one evening and never woke up.”
On the same weekend, Thomas achieved his highest finishing position with a second place.
Thomas also won the East Midlands Cyclo-Cross Under 16 Championship at Scunthorpe where Lincolnshire, Leicester and Notts and Derby riders competed to be overall champions for the region, and he came second under 16 in the Notts and Derby Cyclo-Cross League.
Thomas, who attends Carre’s Grammar School, currently rides for Clancy Briggs Youth Academy, and is now looking ahead to his other disciplines in the National XC, Circuit and Road Series and National Cyclo-Cross Season where he will compete at Junior Level.
Thomas added: “I feel I have developed significantly over the past season with multiple podiums at national levels.
"I’m aiming to carry over the success I had in the youth category this season into the juniors and I’m excited if the prospect arises of racing abroad."