Under 14 race.
Lance Childs came 45th out of 93 despite having competed in the Icebreaker race in Newport the day before and being disadvantaged by a restart in his race after it was red flagged and also being pulled out in error as he had not yet been lapped by the leading pack but he hung in the main pack for about 35 minutes before the elastic snapped but he still rode for 56 minutes before he was pulled out just before the leading pack had 3 laps to go. Jack Hill also raced and found the competition a high standard but gained valuable experience going forward
Under 16 race
George Pittock was the only South East rider outside of the big London clubs to be selected in a field of 102 at the U16Boys National Youth Circuit Series Round 1 at Redbridge on Sunday.
Random gridding placed George right of the back of the field at the start but he started well and settled in otowards the back of the main bunch. However, he found himself losing ground each lap on the famous Hog Hill descent, having to chase back on the flatter sections of the course before tackling the 10% Hoggenberg.
A solo attack by Thomas Gloag of VC Londres was initially allowed to go before a small chasing pack led by Lewis Askey of Derbyshire based RST Racing Team closed him down.
Askey swept straight through and quickly established a lead, eventually winning the race by 59 seconds ahead of two Yorkshire riders, Dylan Westley of Pedal Sport Cycling Club and Samuel Watson of Chevin Cycles Trek. Askey is a member of the British Cycling Olympic Development Academy and eight times national champion on the road, track, cyclo-cross and mountain bike!
George was lapped and pulled out of the race according to British Cycling regulations, but finished 83rd and among other riders of similar ability who he regularly competes against on the road and on the track.
“The speed on the descent was scary, especially in such a big bunch. I had to use energy chasing back each time and that cost me some places. But it was a good learning experience and I am not too disappointed. I did better in my first nationals at U16 than I did at U14”.
George now has a busy schedule of regional races almost every weekend until the end of May when he hopes to be selected for the Screentek International North West Youth and Junior Tour in Lancashire.