Conditions were awful for Brighton Excelsior's cyclo-cross race in Wild Park, but London rider Steven Price coped with them admirably.

The rain poured down and the course became increasingly difficult but Price (De Laune) led the 13-mile race from start to finish.

There were plenty of spills and Nick Walsh (Invicta) needed medical attention for a leg injury. Mark Burgess (Lewes Wanderers) also fell heavily but he remounted and finished 18th.

Price went on to win by 50 secs from Ben Lockwood (Invicta), while Matt Spurgeon (Evans Cycles) was third in 1.35. Bob Wright (Shaftesbury) was fourth while the first Sussex riders home were Brighton's Jonathan Sharpe (Boreas) and Andy Seltzer (East Grinstead), who were fifth and sixth.

The under 16s race was won by Nathan Palmer (Herne Hill). Matthew Howard (VC Jubilee, Shoreham) finished third. The under-14s winner was Adam Gent (Preston Park Youth Club) and his clubmate Imogen Cain was the first girl to finish. Patrick Hough (Preston Park) won the under-10s event.

The main event was the second of three Sussex League races and James Dear (In Gear), who was leading after the first event, was a non-starter due to a cold.

He said: "I hope to ride in the final event at Lancing on Sunday but barring accidents it looks as if Sharpe will keep his title now. There are still five races left in the London League though and I'm hoping to hold on to second place."

The VC Etoile's meeting at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre starts at 11am with the main event at 1pm.

Nicole Cooke, the Golden Girl of British cycling, will be the guest of honour at the Brighton Mitre's annual dinner at the Thistle Hotel on Saturday.

Two years ago Cooke won three world titles while still a junior and last year she won the Commonwealth Games road race.

This year she won the British Championship and three races abroad while her consistent performances earned her the biggest prize of all in women's racing, the World Cup series.