Holme Valley Wheelers Youth Squad at Manchester Velodrome
News Posted 2nd January 2008
Sixteen members of the Wheelers Youth Squad made a final 2007 visit to the Velodrome on December 15th. The more experienced members were lead on the track by John Molloy and Steve Rimmer whilst Rachel Mellor maintained order with the newcomers, all of whom worked hard to gain the skills necessary to join the ‘elite’ group. The session was coached by Peter Root but standing on the side, offering valuable advice was former Holme Valley Wheeler and current British Cycling Olympic Team Pursuit Rider Ed Clancy. Following the session Ed presented awards and posed for a multitude of photographs with the star struck young riders (and also some older members!). The more experienced riders grappled with taking half laps, a 200m flying start time trial and a Points Race. Winner of both the Points Race and Time Trial was Ben Kellett.
Youth times for the 200m flying start were:
| Ben Kellett | 13.88 secs |
| Jacob Scott | 14.58 secs |
| Jack Anderson | 14.67 secs |
| Doug Hill | 15.07 secs |
| Jack Beardsell | 17.10 secs |
| Chris Malloy | 17.24 secs |
| James Kellett | 17.78 secs |
Jacob Scott won the first sprint of the Points Race from Ben Kellett and Chris Malloy but the first two placings were reversed in the second sprint with Jack Anderson coming through to take third. In the final sprint, Ben Kellett again prevailed, this time from Jack Anderson and Jacob Scott.
Final points tally was as follows:
| Ben Kellett | 8 |
| Jacob Scott | 6 |
| Jack Anderson | 3 |
| Chris Malloy | 1
|
The newcomers spent most of their time honing their track skills, learning to ride in a straight line around the steeply banked track and manoeuvring around obstacles placed on the track. They did, however, have one competitive opportunity, a 250m standing start Time Trial. Athena Mellor proved fastest, results were as follows:
| Athena Mellor | 27.49 secs |
| Mackenzie Mellor | 28.47 secs |
| Leon Woodhouse | 29.33 secs |
| Jacob Black | 29.76 secs |
| Luke Woods | 30.23 secs |
| Lucy Aldridge | 30.75 secs |
| Joe Williams | 31.05 secs |
| Sophie Williams | 34.85 secs |
| Amira 09 Mellor | 35.26 secs |
At the end of the session Ed Clancy presented awards to club members for the 2006/7 Track Season. The prizes were sponsored by Thornton and Ross.
Above: 2006 Squad
