Newport Bus Youth League 13th February 2007
21 Lap Points Race.
By Courtney Rowe
Posted: 15.02.07
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A sedate first lap and a further cagey 5 led the peleton to the whistle that indicated the first sprint was but 250m away.
As is generally the way with youth races barely a saddle was being used as every competitor stamped on the pedals in an attempt to make the top four riders over the line and to get points on the board next to their name.
There was no surprise in the first 3 places as Robert Pert (Community Cycling Development Programme), Richard Forest (CC Cardiff) and Josh Papworth (Halesowen A & AC) claimed the lion's share of the points. The surprise came from 12 yr old Joe Anstice (Newport Velo) the son of the Velodrome resident photograph who took the point for fourth place. For Joe this was a victory in itself.
The following six laps were to follow the same pattern as the first six and again the inevitable cavalry charge ensued. Pert leading out as he had 7 laps earlier but faired less well as Papworth rolled by for the 5 points followed over the line by Forest with Pete taking the two points.
In 4th place we had a lady making her mark on the board with Hanna Manley (Cardiff Ajax CC) finishing a wheel behind Pert.
With two sprints over and one to go the points table showed Pert and Papworth on 7 a piece, Forest on 6 and Anstice and Manley both on a single point.
Barring accident the top three places will go to Pert, Papworth and Forest.
The pattern of the next 6 laps was inevitable as the riders rode their way to the whistle. There was more activity in the stand as the parents shuffled in their seats but once the sprint opened up the wait was worth it.
Pert again lead out with Forest on his hip. From nowhere the dormant Jordan Christie (CC Cardiff) flew over the top gaining a metre every four. The 5 points were not in doubt as Christie crossed the line a clear 15m to the good. Unfortunately it is still 5 points regardless of the margin of the win.
Behind Papworth rolled Forest coming into the home straight to take 2nd in the sprint and the race victory. Manley again takes 4th spot a length in arrears of Forest.