Reigning four-stroke motocross champion Craig Pratley, from Chipping Norton, led the way home to win the Top Expert class at Sunday's Oxford Ixion MCC-organised meeting at Culham, near Abingdon - the first outing of the 2001 season.

James Painton, from Abingdon, and Greg Hanson, from High Wycombe, gave him a run for his money in the three Expert heats, while in the Support Expert class, local riders Steven Pettitt, of Henley, finished third and Michael Page, of Finstock, fifth.

Lewis King from Harwell dominated in the Junior A Group as Stevie Gesner, from Wallingford, finished third as top local rider in the Junior B Group.

Other top events due to be held on the Culham track are: the British Sidecar/ fourstroke Championship (April 29), the British Open/125cc Championship (September 9), and the final of the MR Thumpercross Championship (October 21).