Follow britishcycling.org.uk on 
Ed Clancy Treat for East Bradford Cycling Club
Posted: 21st December 2009 | Words: Mandy Parker | Images: Joolze Dymond
As a pre-Christmas present, it couldn't be beaten when Ed Clancy joined in with East Bradford Cycling Club at their recent training session at the Richard Dunn sports centre.
Above: Ed poses for photos with a delighted contigent from East Bradford CC
During this summer's fantastic Tour of Britain, East Bradford CC had entered two teams into the Italian Pursuit competition at the race's York stage finish. Children aged 12 years and under took part in races against teams from other clubs and schools on the finish line of each of the 2009 Tour of Britain stages.
The two teams from East Bradford not only came first and second at the York competition, but also had the fastest time in all the North of England stages.
Above: Clancy gets stuck into East Bradford's regular coaching session at the Richard Dunn sports centre.
Their prize was a two hour visit from Ed Clancy, Gold medal winner in the team pursuit in the Beijing Olympics and three times gold medal winner in the same discipline at the World Championships. Fifty excited children turned up to ride around with him on the half-mile, traffic-free, closed road circuit.
Amazed at the quality of the cycling from the children, whose ages ranged from four to sixteen, Ed joked that they were "bloody fast!" when they tried to out-sprint him. He had been advised to bring warm clothes and his bike to the notoriously cold and windy circuit. Rather than wear tights, Ed chose a warmer option and spent the rest of the time cycling around in his jeans, to the great amusement of the kids.
Above: "Bloody fast" was Ed's summary of the youngsters' performances at Richard Dunn, their win at the ToB stage finish at York earlier in the year coming as no surprise to Olympian Clancy, who is no stranger to the the art of going fast himself.
Ed then enthusiastically joined in a jam-packed session including taking part in the children's training activities, signing autographs, patiently posing for photos, drinking hot chocolate and finally presenting the Tour of Britain teams with their award certificate.
Mandy Parker, one of the coaches who organised the session, commented that "Ed was an inspiration to the children, a true Olympian, and a fantastic role model for these budding champions of the future, apart from wearing his jeans!"
Above left: The affable Mr Clancy was kept busy both on and off the track, here seen posing with East Bradford's finest with their ToB winners certificate (right). Above right: Ed exercises his autograph muscle.
Ed spent over two hours with the club, which included eating a sneaky packet of Haribo's provided by one of the kids for their birthday (a popular brand of kid's energy food, otherwise known as ‘e sweeties'). Many of our older cyclists may remember the advert some years ago for the Haribo sponsored German track Championships, ‘The happy world of Haribo, because kids and cyclists love it so!' Perhaps this is the Olympic squad's new secret weapon?
The kids and parents had a fantastic time and were delighted that Ed could join them. He set a great example to them and he now has a dedicated fan club at East Bradford.
Above left: And still the autographs come, and Ed duly obliges. Above right: Depriving Ed of his bike was the only way that coach Mandy Parker could ensure a fair competition.
If you want to join us at our sessions, East Bradford Cycling Club is on Saturday mornings at the Richard Dunn Centre, just off the M6060 in Bradford and offers both skills training and a thriving youth road section for children. You don't have to be a member to take part and can drop in when you want. For more information go here: http://ebccsaturdaybikeclub.co.uk/
Above: The Richard Dunn centre's tight, twisty and hilly tarmac is a great coaching and competition venue for young people wishing to hone their road racing skills.
