Ribble Valley Juniors, Preston Arena Youth Races
British Cycling Youth Circuit Race Series.
Saturday 9th June 2007
Report and Photographs: Andrew Kennedy for British Cycling
Full photograph galleries will be added early next week.
Preston Arena sports complex is home to a superb purpose built 1 mile road cycling circuit extensively used by the North West cycling clubs. Today the beautiful parkland circuit was seen at its absolute best when Ribble Valley Juniors played host to the latest round of British Cycling?s Youth Circuit Series. Over 120 youth riders from all parts of the country together with their army of supporters took up camp at Preston, to enjoy a day of fast and furious circuit racing. The conditions were perfect, dry, still and warm, although the afternoon heat reached 26c and had spectators roasting as the final races took place. Chris Waters and the team from Ribble Valley Juniors are experienced at organising events on this circuit, and their slick performance ensured a fast moving programme of races.
Safe racing environment with superb facilities in parkland setting at Preston Arena, bike racing doesn't get much better than this.
The under 8s were first onto the circuit and as they lined up their beaming faces told everyone that these kids love to race their bikes. Matthew Braybrooke (Eastlands Velo) was the eventual winner after a hard fought battle, with first girl Amy Selibas (Halesowen A&CC).
Under 8's and under 10's enjoyed some great mixed racing at Preston.
The under 10 age group riders took to the circuit and immediately started attacking off the front, with Christopher Barnes (Seacroft Wheelers) taking the win from a disappointed Robert Armstrong (Ribble Valley Juniors). Grace Garner (Leics RC) was the 1st girl.
The under 12 race was again a mixed boy and girl event. The young guys lining up had no idea they were going to be given a bike racing lesson from Halesowen superstar Emily Kay. Emily put the boys firmly in their place with a well timed sprint out of the last corner, beating Jacob Ragan (Eastlands Velo) and Charlie Tanfield (Cleveland Wheelers) into 2nd and 3rd places. After her prize presentation I spoke to Emily and her proud parents, I asked her if she was surprised to beat all the boys. "No not really, I planned to beat them all, a boy kept attacking and I managed to stay with him, and just beat him in the sprint, this is my first win this season, but I do a lot of riding, I train on the road and track and have done some training behind the derny, so I have quite a lot of speed". What out for Emily Kay she's a formidable rider, with nerves of steel. The sprint into and out of the last corner of this event had all the parents watching from behind hands clamped firmly across their eyes.
The Under-12 Race gets up to speed
The under 14 girls race had 12 riders lining up for the starters flag, with Hannah Shenton (Team Chance) covered in bandages from a bad crash earlier in the week. The girls had a slow start and rode around in tight formation until 4 laps remained. The Palmer Park Velo girls started to stir things up, and as they rode through the finish straight with 3 laps to go the race was on. The last two laps were very fast and the win went to Harriet Owen (Palmer Park Velo) with Lucy Garner (Leics RC) a close second. I asked Harriet if the slow pace had helped her get the win, "no not really, I would have preferred it if it had been faster, but nobody wanted to work, on the last lap as we came towards the finish a girl decided to go for a long break I managed to get on her wheel, and just got round her at the finish, I've had quite a few good wins this season and I'm pleased with his today, it turned out to be a good race for me."
Faces of concentratation in the girls under 14 race
The under 14 boys had a big field of over 30 riders and as they rolled away from the starter the noise from the parents and spectators was deafening. These boys quickly got down to business, and the speed was fast from the gun. Jack Bowyer (Eastlands Velo) was prominent throughout the race and continually attacked. He was joined on the front of the fast moving bunch by Nicholas Barnes (Seacroft Wheelers) the pace was kept high with short attacks by almost all the boys riding in the front half of this large group. Race tactics were also being played out with attacks shooting off the front just as riders had been caught. At the bell the whole bunch was still together and the crowd were in for a nail biting large bunch sprint.
As the riders passed the spectators for the final time they slowed down and began watching each other, with an inevitable attack coming as they crossed over the hump back bridge. At the final corner the bunch was strung out and Josh Papworth (Halesowen) was at the head of affairs. He had a 15 metre gap with 150 metres to go and looked as though he was about to claim the win, young Papworth kept his head down and was charging to the line when Jordan Hargreaves (Wakefield Triathlon Club) began to close the gap.
Hargreaves had timed his finish to perfection and crossed the line just ahead of Jack Bowyer and a fading Joshua Papworth. I caught up with Jordan Hargreaves and asked him if his brother Josh who is an Olympic Development Sprint rider with British Cycling had been giving him sprinting tips, "I'm not really a sprinter, this win is a bit of a surprise for me, I was boxed in by the Halesowen riders on the last lap and then Josh Papworth got away, I thought he was going to win it, but the bunch was moving quickly and we caught him just before the line, I just rode as hard as I could."
Under 14 boys race saw a tight bunch stay together for most of the race, with Jordan Hargreaves (Wakefield Tri Club) sprinting for the win.
The under 16 girls race had the usual slow start, with nobody willing to risk everything by attacking they rode 16 of this 20 lap race at a sedate pace. Ella Sadler Andrews (Leisure Lakes) was the first rider to make an impact and sprinted through the finish area to shake things up. Ella opened up a gap as she rode over the hump back bridge, but was quickly back into the safety of the small bunch. Improving rider Gabriella Shaw (Team Chevin Cycles) did her share of the work and looked comfortable in the bunch. With 4 laps remaining Jessica Booth (Halesowen) attacked through the finishing straight and gave a quick backwards glance to see how much damage she had done.
The answer was not much as these girls were not prepared to let anybody ride away in the final few laps. At the bell Ella Sadler Andrews was on the front and riding to keep the pace high. As they came into view with 300 yards to go Jessica Booth was on the front, and had opened up a small gap. At the final corner Jessica kept her cool and managed to stay clear of the quickly closing duo of Ella Sadler Andrews and Gabriella Shaw. I spoke to Jessica at the finish and asked if Ella Sadler Andrews had caused her any concern on the run in to the line, "Ella is a good rider and she was on my wheel out of the last corner, I was thinking if she comes around me it's all over, but I managed to stay in front and got the win. The race wasn't that fast so a couple of us tried to keep the pace high, I just needed to be at the front into the last corner. My coach Carl Gregory has been a great help to me, we've been sprint training and it's helped give me a lot more speed."
It's hard work at the front in the under 16 girls race
The under 16 boys race promised to be fast and maybe a little aggressive, 40 riders lined up to listen to race instructions from officials Peter Deary and Ivor Armstrong, which included "boys no effing and blinding as you ride around this circuit".
The boys got off to a blistering start and were lapping at an average time of 2 min 16 seconds. Every lap one or two riders prised themselves off the front of this fast moving express train, only to be brought back. Matthew Booth (Halesowen) spent a lot of time attacking and at one stage had opened up a gap of 8 seconds, Matthew was riding very smoothly and took his lead up to a maximum of 15 seconds before he began to pay for his efforts and faded back to the chasing bunch. With two laps to go, and another attack just reeled in Tom Walker (Border City Wheelers) launched himself off the front of the bunch.
He quickly established a 10 second lead, and with only 1 lap remaining nobody was prepared to chase him down and use up their final effort. Walker took full advantage of the dithering behind him, got his head down and time-trialled to the finish and a great win. Sam Harrison (Cwncarn Paragon RC) had chased Walker in the closing miles and took second place ahead of Rhys Matcham (Brooks Cycles). Quietly spoken Tom Walker told me afterwards, "with 5 laps to go I'd drifted to the back of the bunch and was just waiting for a chance to jump away. With 2 laps to go I saw my chance and just went for it. I do quite a few time trials and knew I could sustain the effort, I didn't look back and just went for it."
It was a great days cycling at Preston, the weather was perfect, the circuit is ideal for youth racing, the first aid staff didn't have a single customer, and the all the winners went home happy with a trophy and their prizes. Well done to Chris Waters and Ribble Valley Juniors for organising a fantastic event.
Parents and supporters watch the racing at Preston Arena.
Full Results (thanks to Matthew Winston and Ivor Armstrong)
Under 16
1 Tom Walker* Border City Wheelers 1hr 8:10
2 Sam Harrison Cwmcarn Paragon RC @8s
3 Rhys Matcham Brooks Cycles @11s
4 John Cooper Wolverhampton Wheelers CC @12s
5 Alex Tinsley Wyre Forest CRC st
6 Jake Hales Interbike RT st
7 Simon Yates* Sportscity Velo st
8 Thomas Wieckowski Halesowen A&CC st
9 Lewis Balyckyi* Ribble Valley Juniors st
10 Christopher Sherriffs* Sportscity Velo st
11 Thomas Gregory Halesowen A&CC st
12 Perry Bowater CC Giro st
13 Chris Nicholson Team Scottish Provident st
14 Adam Yates* Sportscity Velo st
15 Thomas Moses BC Private st
16 Richard Forrest CC Cardif @13s
17 Robert Watson Paul Milnes RT st
18 Ewen McDonald Ludlow CC st
19 Martin Woffindin* Sportscity Velo st
20 Alexander Wallis Doncaster Wheelers st
21 Paul Fostun Sherwood CC @14s
22 Matthew Bailey Halesowen A&CC st
23 Richard Houghton* VC Cumbria st
24 Daniel Willoughby Bronte Wheelers st
25 Dean Martin Biking Heaven st
26 Stuart Clayton Litchfield City CC st
27 Matthew Booth Halesowen A&CC st
28 Ethan Conlin Stockton Wheelers CC @15s
29 James Ison Melton Olympic CC @16s
30 Christopher Legg Palmer Park Velo @21s
31 Paul Young Team Marie Curie / JD Cycles @1.57
32 Alexander Tyrrell* Garstang Cycling Club D.N.F
33 Oliver Webster Team Marie Curie / JD Cycles D.N.F
34 Matthew Woods Stockton Wheelers CC D.N.F
35 Alistair Crooks* Ribble Valley Juniors D.N.F
36 Calum McLean Stirling Bike Club D.N.S
37 Zak Millington* Sportscity Velo D.N.S
38 Joe Perrett Glendene D.N.S
39 George Atkins Welland Valley CC D.N.S
40 Samuel Fry Interbike RT D.N.S
41 Ben Goddard Newport CC D.N.S
Sprint 1
1 Christopher Legg Palmer Park Velo
2 Perry Bowater CC Giro
3 Chris Nicholson Team Scottish Provident
Sprint 2
1 Christopher Legg Palmer Park Velo
2 Alex Tinsley Wyre Forest CRC
3 Chris Nicholson Team Scottish Provident
Under-16 Girls
1 Jessica Booth Halesowen A&CC 54m22s
2 Ella Sadler-Andrews* Leisure Lakes st
3 Gabriella Shaw Team Chevin Cycles st
4 Katie Fearnehough* Sportcity Velo st
5 Sarah Reynolds Evans Cycles @1s
6 Penny Rowson Team Chance / Raleigh st
7 Melisssa Greaves Team Chance / Raleigh @2s
8 Aimee Backhouse* Tri-Cycle NW @45s
9 Hayley Edwards Paramount DNS
Sprint 1
1 Jessica Booth Halesowen A&CC
2 Katie Fearnehough* Sportcity Velo
3 Ella Sadler-Andrews* Leisure Lakes
Sprint 2
1 Ella Sadler-Andrews* Leisure Lakes
2 Jessica Booth Halesowen A&CC
3 Penny Rowson Team Chance / Raleigh
Under-14
1 Jordan Hargreaves Wakefield Triathlon Club 43m41s
2 Jack Bowyer* Eastlands Velo st
3 Joshua Papworth Halesowen A&CC st
4 George Moore Interbike RC st
5 Harry Tanfield Cleveland Wheelers @1
6 Stephen Bradbury Palmer Park Velo st
7 Owain Doull Cardiff Ajax CC st
8 Jonathan Knox* Kent Valley RC st
9 Nicholas Barnes Seacroft Wheelers st
10 Thomas Mazzone Team Scottish Provident @2s
11 Matthew Holmes* Eastlands Velo st
12 Ted Bate Halesowen A&CC st
13 Kyle Yates Edinburgh Racers @3s
14 Chris Latham Eastlands Velo st
15 Jess Wieckowski Halesowen A&CC st
16 Jacob Jones Halesowen A&CC @4s
17 Dan Whelan* Yasumitsu Schlapp st
18 Jack Penrice Eastlands Velo @5s
19 Lewis Sharman Liverpool Century st
20 Scott Woodhead* West Pennine RC @6s
21 Liam Brennan* New Brighton Cycling Club @9s
22 Luke Boulton Eastlands Velo @1m52
23 Luke Simpson Leeds St.Christopher CC @2m07
24 Jack Humphreys* Red Rose Olympic @2.09
25 Mark Furnival* Ribble Valley Juniors @1 lap
26 Thomas Armstrong* Ribble Valley Juniors DNS
27 Thomas Baker Halesowen A&CC DNS
28 Jason Dingley Halesowen A&CC DNS
29 Patrick Galbraith Velo Ecosse / Montpeliers DNS
30 Robert Lambton Newport Shropshire CC DNS
31 Simon Winston* VC St. Raphael DNS
Sprint 1
1 Jordan Hargreaves Wakefield Triathlon Club
2 Joshua Papworth Halesowen A&CC
3 Nicholas Barnes Seacroft Wheelers
Sprint 2
1 Joshua Papworth Halesowen A&CC
2 Jordan Hargreaves Wakefield Triathlon Club
3 Harry Tanfield Cleveland Wheelers
Under-14 Girls
1 Harriet Owen Palmer Park Velo 36m26s
2 Lucy Garner Leicestershire RC st
3 Hannah Barnes Palmer Park Velo st
4 Laura Allen* New Brighton Cycling Club @1s
5 Sophie Gore* Sportcity Velo st
6 Melissa Bury* Eastlands Velo st
7 Jess Anderson* Yasumitsu Schlapp @2s
8 Bethany Crumpton Redditch R&P CC @3s
9 Hannah Shenton Team Chance @15s
10 Lisa Daly Eastlands Velo @2.29
11 Emma V Thompson Hetton Hawks / Scott @2.42
12 Catherine Jones Eastlands Velo @1 lap
Sprint 1
1 Hannah Barnes Palmer Park Velo
2 Harriet Owen Palmer Park Velo
3 Sophie Gore* Sportcity Velo
Sprint 2
1 Harriet Owen Palmer Park Velo
2 Hannah Barnes Palmer Park Velo
3 Sophie Gore* Sportcity Velo
Under-12
1 Emily Kay Halesowen A&CC 26m59
2 Jacob Ragan* Eastlands Velo st
3 Charlie Tanfield Cleveland Wheelers st
4 Jordan Rigby* Ribble Valley Juniors st
5 Jack Sadler* Ribble Valley Juniors @1s
6 Ben Chapman Team Keyne / Trek st
7 Alice Barnes Palmer Park Velo @2s
8 Christian Braybrooke* Eastlands Velo st
9 Joshua Knights Team Scottish Provident @3s
10 Samuel Turton* Ribble Valley Juniors @4s
11 Andrew Nixon* Red Rose Olympic CC st
12 Leon Mazzone Team Scottish Provident @5s
13 Zoe Armstrong* Ribble Valley Juniors @9s
14 Lewis Barry Eastlands Velo @11s
15 Emily Barnes Palmer Park Velo @45s
16 Luke Selibas Halesowen A&CC @1 lap
17 Matthew Gregory Halesowen A&CC @1 lap
18 Elliot Webster Triangle RT @1 lap
19 Rosie Crumpton Redditch R&P CC @ 2 lap
20 Michael Charlton Chippenham Wheelers DNS
Sprint 1
1 Emily Kay Halesowen A&CC
2 Jack Sadler* Ribble Valley Juniors
3 Jacob Ragan* Eastlands Velo
Sprint 2
1 Emily Kay Halesowen A&CC
2 Jacob Ragan* Eastlands Velo
3 Charlie Tanfield Cleveland Wheelers
Under-10
1 Christopher Barnes Seacroft Wheelers 14m20s
2 Robert Armstrong* Ribble Valley Juniors @1s
3 Oliver Kay Halesowen A&CC @2s
4 Henry Barnes Palmer Park Velo @4s
5 David Barnes Palmer Park Velo st
6 Leighton Sharman Liverpool Century st
7 Matthew Worton Stockton Wheelers @12s
8 Alexander Braybrooke* Eastlands Velo @26s
9 Stephen Tomes CC Giro @30s
10 Matthew Bostock Team Scottish Provident @1.18s
11 Grace Garner Leicestershire RC @1.18
12 Jessica Wilkinson Birkenhead North End @2.51
13 Isabel Bowyer* Eastlands Velo @1 lap
14 Jonny Anderson* BC Private Member @1 lap
15 Alisa Cowen VC Cumbria @1 lap
Sprint 1
1 Robert Armstrong* Ribble Valley Juniors
2 David Barnes Palmer Park Velo
3 Christopher Barnes Seacroft Wheelers
Sprint 2
1 Henry Barnes Palmer Park Velo
2 David Barnes Palmer Park Velo
3 Matthew Worton Stockton Wheelers
Under-8
1 Matthew Braybrooke* Eastlands Velo 9mins 47
2 Finn Parrott* Ribble Valley Juniors @29s
3 Kim Baptista* Eastlands Velo @34s
4 Kierian Morris Mid Shropshire Wheelers @51s
5 Amy Selibas Halesowen A&CC @1m10
6 Toby Tanfield Cleveland Wheelers @1m25
7 Amy Crumpton Redditch R&P CC @1m26
8 Alice Parrott* Ribble Valley Juniors @2m31
Sprint 1
1 Matthew Braybrooke* Eastlands Velo
2 Finn Parrott* Ribble Valley Juniors
3 Kim Baptista* Eastlands Velo
Sprint 2
1 Matthew Braybrooke* Eastlands Velo
2 Finn Parrott* Ribble Valley Juniors
3 Kim Baptista* Eastlands Velo
