Mossley CRT and Dowson Primary School played host to Round 8 of the Manchester Go-Ride Racing League as cyclo-cross was again the discipline of choice for a third time.
After the warm up and introduction by Janis Hett of Dowson Primary, it was down to the three races for the day, a Time Trial, Cyclo Cross Pursuit, and Mass Start Race. In the first race riders were set off at 15 second intervals by young volunteer Charlotte and recorded in by Young Volunteer Emma, who had a hard task as riders were really chasing each other hard.
This close racing was seen in the results, with riders split on the electronically recorded Time Trial App by o.5/0.7 seconds. In the end it was Archie Stewart who took the race lead from a very close second Reece Player, Ben Gleeson and an outstanding ride by U10 Rider Raffi Quirke.
After the Time Trial riders were given time to stay warm, get a drink, a snack, and back to the start line to be split up into the Cyclo Cross Pursuit.
On the times of the time trial, riders were split on ability and assigned separate start lines half a lap apart before racing for a maximum of 10 minutes to catch their partner. 33 riders on the track was a sight to see, with all competitors concentrating on staying away from their partners and hoping they gain enough ground to hopefully make the catch. The psychology of riding hard for 10 minutes really showed on the riders, and reflected in the results with nine riders achieving the catch, while seven pairs managed to keep a distance from each other.
In the final round of racing for the day, it was the Mass Starts in age groups, U8/U10/U12/U14/U16. Riders in the younger age groups had a two lap race, U12 three Laps, and U14/U16 had a five lap race.
The stand out battle of the day has to go to Cameron Bates and Thomas Bates, with Cameron the stronger of the two, but kept in sighjt by the technical skills of Thomas who pinned Cameron back by hitting the green patches of grass near to the course stakes and tape.
Tom Hodgkinson, Manchester Go-Ride Coach enjoyed a great days racing, saying: "From the start of the day the racers and organising group were fantastic. Riders were seen to be checking the course in stages, organisers had all the paperwork ready and delivering a very fast and thorough signing in desk.
“I had nothing to do all day but enjoy watching the performances of riders who have really taken up the league and racing this year, even better was watching the first riders use their coached knowledge of using all of the course and other riders responding by following selected leading riders and how they were riding the course.
“It is going to be fantastic seeing all of the riders again at the grand final where they can really showcase their individual talents.”
For more information on Round 9 and 9b please join one the of founding members of the Manchester Go-Ride Racing League (Man Tri, Manchester Cycle Sport, Mossley CRT, Eastlands Velo), as all the information on these events will be communicated at local club coached sessions.
To join one of the local clubs or find more information about the Manchester Go-Ride Racing League please go to www.mgrrl.com
Follow the links for previous reports: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 7
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