Over 230 riders took part in the British Cycling National Youth and Junior Track Championships at Derby Arena from 1–5 August.

It was a fantastic week of racing with promising young talent following in the footsteps of famous faces such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Jason Kenny and Laura Trott.

The championships were a great success for British Cycling’s Go-Ride programme, with a staggering 95% of riders having started their rider journey at Go-Ride Clubs. This is largely thanks to the 6,000 volunteers helping local clubs and riders to develop on a weekly basis.

Go-Ride Clubs deliver regular traffic free coaching sessions for young people, creating an environment where they can have fun, make friends and reach their potential. The clubs also support young people making the step into racing thanks to Go-Ride Racing.

Lichfield City CC’s Sophie Capewell, who raced in several events at the championships, recognised the role her Go-Ride Club played in her cycling journey:

“As I am going into the senior ranks I look back at my time as a youth and realise that I probably wouldn’t be where I am now without the help and support of my old Go-Ride Club," she said.

“The structure of the club meant that I was able to develop my skills while having the support to become a more competent and confident rider.

"It also gave me access to the Regional Schools of Racing and interregional events which really helped me to improve which was just fantastic! My Go-Ride Club offered me a really great start to the sport”

Throughout the week Sophie put in some impressive performances to defend all three of her titles from the 2015 championships, with a clean sweep of gold medals in the junior women’s 500m time trial, sprint and Keirin.

Go-Ride Club VC Londres had a number of great results, with Ethan Hayter crowned junior men’s individual pursuit champion and Charlotte Cole-Hossain winning the junior women’s points race.

Rhys Britton from Newport Youth Velo CC added two gold medals in the junior men’s kilo and Madison to his silver and bronze medals from the first two days.

British Cycling’s Coaching, Education and Development Director, John Mills, said of the strong representation: “The large number of riders starting out at Go-Ride Clubs and progressing to national standard competition is further evidence that Go-Ride is sustainable - and we know that the programme is effective in identifying talent for the future.

“With more than 300 Go-Ride Clubs around the country, there is no doubt that future world and Olympic champions are already progressing along their own rider journeys.”

Over two thirds of Team GB’s cyclists competing in Rio started out at Go-Ride Clubs, further reinforcing the development pathway that Go-Ride provides.

To learn more, take a look at the Summer of Cycling feature.