As the professionals worked their way around France, youngsters across Southend had two opportunities to find out what it is like to race with their own Go-Ride Racing event held in Priory Park.
The event, set up and run by Southend Wheelers cycling club, provided youngsters with some coaching points before each rider had the chance to test their time trial skills ahead of taking part in a handicapped mass start event for each age group.
"We set up a small course in the park which provided all the riders aged four years upwards to test their ability to negotiate the twists and turns and bike handling skills, whilst providing them with real life race scenarios, said Southend Wheelers club coach Chris Smith
"Prior to the event, riders had the chance to get used to the circuit and received tuition in starting, cornering and sprinting. Split into their age categories, each rider then competed in an individual time trial around the course so that groups could be handicapped to ability and speed, followed by a mass start race on one or more laps depending upon age groups."
All those who took part received a water bottle whilst the top three in each event further received medals and certificates.
Commenting on the two days, Chris added: "It was great to see all the riders give a 100% effort, which resulted in some very close finishes - it was great to see so youngsters taking part especially as the Olympics is not far away and on our doorstep at Hadleigh.
"My thanks also goes out to British Cycling and Sky for supporting and sponsoring these events.
"I am so please with how well the events went we are that now looking at some more Go-Ride Race events and Go-Ride cycle coaching during the rest of this year and into 2012."
Note:
Week one - due to abilities on the day some riders rode outside their age groups in order to provide a fairer racing competition.
Week two - rider rode within their categories
Results
Southend Wheeelrs - Priory Park - Event 1
Under 12
1st Cameron McWhinnie
2nd Andrew Oliver
3rd Ferne Harvey
Under 10
1st Louis Van Looy
2nd Felix Johnson
Under 8
1st Robert Hucker
2nd Leon Skinner
3rd Connor Van Der Hoven
4th Kyle McWhinnie
Southend Wheeelrs - Priory Park - Event 2
Under 8
1st Rober Hucker
2nd Adam Jones
3rd Leon Skinner
4th Liam Jones
Under 10
1st Adam Cavalla
2nd Connor Van Der Hoven
3rd Georgina Elkington
4th Kyle McWhinnie
Under 12
1st Andrew Oliver
2nd Matthew Darley
3rd Harrison Darley
4th Connor May
5th Cameron McWhinnie
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