WEM'S cyclocross star Isaac Vickery has returned to his winter work with business as usual, chalking up two victories in the first rounds of his last regional season.

Isaac, who successfully retained his Midlands Cross Country title during the summer, started his season in the West Midlands Cyclocross League (WMCCL) first and second rounds, including on near home turf in Shrewsbury.

Father Richard said he was in fine form in his last year before he begins to compete nationally.

He said: "Isaac has returned to the cyclocross track as a Year Two under-12, and this is the last season riding regionally before Isaac will get to try his luck nationally.

"Round One was Isaacs home race, held at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

"A very dry, hard packed grass course doesn’t really play into Isaac's hands but a fast start saw him take the lead.

"With the race being local, it was great for Isaac to have friends and family at the race and they cheered him on, giving him the extra five per cent, he needed to maintain his take the chequered flag and maximum points.

"For Round Two, Isaac travelled to the Heart of England Conference Centre in Coventry.

"The course winds around a lake, making the most of the grass banks to create a technical challenge, although a misty morning meant that dew sat on the grass making the course a little slippery for the riders and a lot more likely to see mistakes and crashes.

"Avoiding any incidents, Isaac led from start to finish to take the win and make it two from two in the league.

"On Wednesday evening, straight from school, Isaac will travel to Barnoldswick in Yorkshire, to race under lights at the Rolls Royce Factory."

Richard added that Isaac had also had a training month in the Alps, which allowed him to gather great experiences.

He said: "I took him in the summer for four weeks to train in the high mountains – mostly on his mountain bike.

"It was a big commitment but a fantastic opportunity for him.

"He got to go to the Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets and met his hero Tom Pidcock, who had just become the European Champion in Munich and won the Tour de France Alpe d'Huez stage."