Sunday the 12th May saw four Lincoln Primary Schools compete in the Schools Go-Ride Racing organised in conjunction with the Lincoln Grand Prix 2013.
This was the culmination of work done in the schools over several weeks by East Midlands Go-ride Coach Steve Crosland. Teams of five boys and five girls were selected from elimination races, to represent their school on the big day in front of a large enthusiastic crowd.
The four competing schools were Birchwood Junior School, Cherry Willingham School, Washingborough Academy and Westgate Academy.
The heats took place before the Grand Prix Race itself passed through the finish area for the first time. The girls heats closely followed by the boys, battled it out on a two lap course which started and finished in front of Lincoln Castle, taking in Bailgate and Eastgate before returning through the stone arch into Castle Square.
All the main contenders made it through the heats setting up what proved to be the best ever schools racing at the Lincoln Grand Prix .
In the girls final Hannah Curtis of Westgate Academy took victory by a narrow margin from early leader Janey Atkinson of Cherry Willingham. Third place went to an ever improving Skye Farrar-Stowe, who rode an amazing race for the bronze medal considering she only just made the Washingborough team in the earlier selection races.
The boys final saw last year’s runner up Arturs Kuzneztou from Birchwood Junior School make no mistake in taking victory this time round, although he was pushed all the way to the line by the fast finishing Kyle Hoskins of Washingborough Academy. Third place went to Jonathan Timmins also of Washingborough Academy with another excellent ride.
The supporting Go-ride Club Race saw victories for last year’s winner Isabel Darvil of Newark Castle in the girls event , whilst Ollie Snodden of Sherwood Pines Sram RT took the boys title.
The winners of last year’s schools races Molly-May Parkinson and George Kirk have now progressed into racing at club level, and this year represented their clubs Newark Castle and VC Lincoln in the Invitation Club GR Race. Riding British Cycling sponsored road bikes they performed very well, and were excellent role models for this year’s aspiring schools riders.
Go-ride Coach Steve Crosland said “ I’m already looking forward to seeing what the children from the schools event will be achieving over the next twelve months and beyond, as they progress from school to club level "
