WEM cyclo-cross star Isaac Vickery has triumphed through adversity by winning his league, despite suffering injury.

Isaac suffered his first injury, a pulled quadriceps on his left leg, during lap three of round eight of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League at Newport.

The injury forced Isaac to retire while leading the race.

It was expected that Isaac would be fit enough to compete in the following round, but again had to retire from the lead of round nine, in Hereford a week later.

The regional championships were only three weeks away so it was going to be touch and go if Isaac would line up at Top Barn, Worcester on November 28.

A trip to the physio, hot wheat bags, frozen peas and a set of latex bands to strengthen the leg would all help Isaac make the line for the championship.

The course at Top Barn travels around a lake and makes the most of the steep banks on the adjacent sports fields.

It was a very cold morning and the grass was crusty with ice but not muddy.

Isaac's father, Richard said the course at Top Barn presented a challenge for his son.

He said: "The course itself is not very technical and without any mud is more like a road race than a cyclo-cross race.

"This sort of course is not Isaac's favourite as he prefers more difficult tracks.

"Isaac's plan was to get a fast start and stay away but he knew it was likely that some of the older boys who preferred the track may come back to him during the race.

"On the fourth lap exactly that happened, when Ben Whitehouse of Wolverhampton Wheelers, drew level with Isaac.

"Isaac was ready for this to happen and had made a plan.

"He had kept some energy back in reserve so that as Ben joined his wheel, and puffing with the effort, he had made to bridge the gap to Isaac.

"Isaac pressed the turbo button and within 200 metres was 50 metres clear and with only one lap left negotiated the back markers to cross the line to be crowned the West Midlands U12 Cyclo Cross Regional Champion."

There are two rounds of the WMCCL left, next Sunday at Bridgnorth and on January 2, 2022 back at Top Barn.

Isaac will need results in both to retain his series title.