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Report: Go-Ride at the Suffolk Games
Posted: 19th July
Now in its twelfth year, the 2011 Suffolk Youth Games took place on Sunday 10th July at Bury St. Edmunds and this year included cycling for the first time as a points scoring event.
Organised by Suffolk Sport, in association with local authorities, sports clubs, schools and other sports partners, the Games represent the largest multi-sport festival for young people in Suffolk
British Cycling's Go-Ride Coach for the area, John Stockwell, worked with schools and put together teams to represent each district. Pupils from 13 schools took part in the various team and individual cycling events. The event was based on the Olympic velodrome disciplines with riders taking part in a Timed Trial, Team Pursuit and a final Individual Scratch Race.
Team Pursuit
The teams were appointed a team manager from one of the local cycling clubs and after their timed laps were seeded for the Team Pursuit, each district raced each other in a head to head, with the team that gets all their team across the line first declared the winners.
After all the rounds were completed the points were added up to decide on the overall winners. Babergh were the team on top form, winning every race, leaving Suffolk Coastal and Waveney to race once more in a run off for 2nd & 3rd. This race was again so close that the judges decided to call a draw for 2nd.
Final Team Pursuit Result
1st Babergh, 2nd Suffolk Coastal & Waveney, 4th Mid Suffolk, 5th Ipswich, 6th Forest Heath, 7th St Edmundsbury
Individual Scratch Race
The day concluded with an individual scratch race where the riders race in heats, semis and finals. First off were the boys and again this was closely contested, with heats of seven riders at a time it was essential to get a good start.
The fastest riders all met in the final which saw Nathanial from Ipswich make a breakaway after lap one and hold on for the win. After a slow start Sydney from Waveney made his way through from fourth to second, with Nick from Babergh taking third.
Next up were the girls, whose times in the Time Trail matched those of the boys! After the qualifying heats it was anyone's guess who would take top honours. Grace from Babergh got the holeshot to the first turn and held off Georgia from Waveney all the way to the line. The race for third was tight at every corner but it was Annabel from Babergh who managed to take home the bronze medal.
Many thanks to all the volunteers and to the supporting clubs, West Suffolk Wheelers, Mildenhall CC and Ipswich BC.
Look forward to seeing you next year!
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