Three of our YDS riders travelled to Lee Valley Velo Park yesterday for the Full Gas March Hare road circuit races.
Lance was first up, lone Thanet RC rider in the March Hare U14 race. A little apprehensive pre-race as this was his first race back after a nasty viral infection and chest infection stopped him being able to ride at all for 2 weeks. Lance warmed up and felt pretty good, just happy to be able to ride without coughing. The conditions were challenging with a strong wind blowing around the outdoor circuit.
The race started and Lance was riding well in the front group, a crash early on caused a split in the field with 3 strong riders (Innes (VCL), Rahul & Freddie (PPYCC)) pushing on after the crash and getting a gap on the front group leaving Lance leading the chasing group with him, Kaine (Wyndymilla) & Billy (VCL) doing the majority of the work to close the gap on the riders up the road. This resulted in Lance having little left in the tank for the final sprint, finishing 9th overall. Lance was pleased to get through the race and get a top 10 and his first BC points of the season despite his race preparation being hampered by illness.
He is looking forward to a big weekend next weekend with the 3rd and Final Icebreaker race in Newport, Wales on Saturday 25th March and the LVYCC National Youth circuit race at Redbridge on Sunday 26th March.
Next up were George Pittock & Josh Chivilo in the U16 race and conditions were tough with the wind still blowing strongly, both riders worked hard and despite 3 riders also leaving the bunch behind in their race, the Thanet YDS riders finished the final sprint in the mid of the bunch with Joshua Chivilo finishing 21st and George Pittock 22nd overall. George is also heading to the LVYCC National Youth circuit race next week, (Joshua is waiting to see if as a reserve he will get a space in the fully subscribed U16) Jack Hill is also going to be riding the national next week in the U14 race
Well done to all three riders, and thanks to Full Gas Cycling especially Pippa Leith and Tony Gibb for organising the event and all the Commissaires for giving up their time to officiate. Photograph credit to Keith Johnson for the couple of action shots of Lance.
Report by Teresa Childs
