Martin Markowski's Goodwood League triumph has been spoiled by a muddle over his eligibility for the competition.

His name was missing from the final result published in a national cycling magazine and a subsequent press report claimed he was ineligible for the title.

The Goodwood League is promoted by the Surrey League and most Sussex clubs are members.

Markowski, who rides for VC Bayeux, amassed more points than any other rider and during the season was shown on official lists at Goodwood to be leading the competition. The Argus had also reported his overall win.

Markowski, from Hastings, said: "I was really upset when I saw my name was omitted and another rider was credited with winning the league. I knew I had won around 70 points more than him.

"When I complained I was told that a league official had said that I wasn't eligible for the overall title because my club was a member of the South East League.

"The Goodwood League's prize presentation at Sandown Park was coming up but I was so angry that I didn't attend.

"I had based my season on winning the league and to think it had all been a waste of time was devastating."

The league's senior official, Keith Butler, has now confirmed Markowski is the winner of the 16-race league after all.

Butler said: "The official who collated the riders' points thought, wrongly, that Martin was only eligible for the individual races and not the overall top award.

"He then jumped the gun by sending out the wrong results. I can confirm that Martin did win the league. The trophy now has his name engraved on it and he will be receiving all his prizes.

"It was all an unfortunate mistake and we can only offer our sincere apologies to Martin."

Markowski remains upset. He said: "I may be getting the trophy now but I missed out on the presentation and it has definitely taken all the gloss off my having won the league.

"I'm also still waiting for the magazine to publish the correct result."