MALVERN'S Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Liam Killeen continued his preparations for this year's games with a silver medal in the British National Cyclo Cross Championships.

Killeen was beaten to the line in the final sprint by six-times former champion Roger Hammond (Discovery) at the event held at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

After Hammond and Killeen (Specialized) had battled their way through to catch early leader Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles), these three dominated most of the race. When it came to the finish, the well-known sprint power of Hammond carried him through although Killeen was only half a wheel behind.

Killeen said: "It's quite satisfying. I haven't had the best build- up to this race so it was good. It was a bit tricky getting to the front group because Roger (Hammond) and myself were a few rows back at the start so the first few laps were tough but once I made the front, I felt pretty confident.

"The wooded sections were nice for me as I could have a bit of a breather but I probably didn't plan my last lap that well. I should have come into the hurdles first and tried to lead it through the woods but that's racing.

"I gave it my best shot in the final few hundred yards but Roger has got an awesome sprint and I knew that would be tough."

Silver medallist Killeen, who is one of England's big hopes for a cross country medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, was far from disappointed with his race, which is all part of his build-up.

"This is all preparation for March 23," he said, "Where I am going to do my best to get top spot for England."