Go-Ride Racing goes Grass Track!
Colchester Rovers Cycling Club under 16s Grass Track Cycling
Report: David Triggs, Colchester Rovers Cycling Club
British Cycling teamed up with Colchester Rovers to run a Go-Ride Racing event at the Shrub End playing fields, Colchester on Monday 6th July. Colchester Rovers run regular grass track racing sessions for under 16s over the summer and this event gave an opportunity for other novice riders in the region to get involved with cycle sport.
Above: A balmy summer evening provided the perfect backdrop to some great racing
An excellent night of grass track racing took place with a number of new faces with riders travelling from Sudbury and Rayleigh to compete against the regular Colchester riders. British Cycling coaches, Mark Wyer and Nigel Hampton supported the evening and riders were able to test themselves over some Olympic track events including a time trial, scratch, handicap and Madison races as well as the Keirin - where riders are normally led round by a small motorbike (this part was played by club Member Richard Jackson on his race bike) and have to wait for the "bike" to pull off the track before the riders sprint for the line.
The results of the time trial were as follows:
Under 10: Rory Smith 44.1 seconds, Jordon West 45, Nicholas Woodhead 46.2, Daniel Gilbert 48.2, Ellie Duley 51.2, Nathan Carter 51.2, Nathan King 52.8, George Campling 53.8, Oscar Woodhead 60.1
Under 12: Caitlin Douglas 41.00, Adam Buckingham 41.5, Bethan York and Ben Kensdale 43, William Gildersleeves 43.5, Hannah Shean 44.5, George Hindle 49, Leon Sherlock Booth 51.5, Sam Taylor 53.5, Calista Arthey 58, Lochie Hankin Appleby 61; Under 14's Kyle Clutterbuck 35.2, James Jackson 36.8, Jonathan West 37.1, Elliot Jarvis 38.2, Ellis Smith 39.1, Louis Boydell 39.1, Jack Davies 43.2, Joe Attridge 43.5.
The first race of the night was the under 8s 150 metre and this was won by Harrison Brock ahead of Daniel Hall, Liam Paton, Oliver Partner, Ellie Mae Pledger and Odie Hankin Appleby. The same riders lined up for the Keirin - the close sprint was won by Daniel ahead of Liam, Cameron and Adam. The third race for this group was a 150 metre handicap race with this time Ellie Mae winning ahead of Adam, Daniel and Cameron.
After the under 10s had recovered from the time trial they took part in a 300 metre scratch race. A strong headwind made the going tough but it was Jordon West who came through ahead of Nicholas Woodhead, closely followed by Daniel, Rory and Ellie. In the next event the Keirin Heats - heat one was won by Nicholas ahead of Daniel and Rory with heat 2 being won by Jordon ahead of Ellie and George Campling. The Keirin final was a win for Nicholas from Jordon and Rory. The final race for the under 10s was a one lap handicap with Jordon West still coming through ahead of Daniel, Nathan King and Rory.
The under 12s started with a really tough two lap scratch race won by Caitlin Douglas ahead of Hannah, Adam, Bethan, Ben and William. Race two was the Keirin and Heat 1 was won by Adam ahead of Caitlin and Hannah. Heat two was won by William ahead of Bethan and Ben in third. The Keirin final was a really tough battle with Adam coming through to win from William, Caitlin and Bethan. The final race for the under 12s was the Madison and the pairing of Jordon and William came through for a win ahead of George and Caitlin with the pair of Lochie and Hannah in third.
The under 14s started off with a really closely fought scratch race with James just finishing ahead of Ellis, Jonathan and Elliot. The Kieran was divided into two heats with Elliot winning heat one ahead of Jonathan and Kyle. Heat two was won by James Jackson ahead of Jack and Louis. The final of the Kieran was a very close race with Ellis winning ahead of James, Kyle and Jack. The racing finished with the Madison and the pairing of Louis and Kyle just beat Ellis and Jack.
We event finished up with a fun relay race.
Colchester Rovers racing sessions continue on Monday evenings throughout the summer at Shrub End Playing Fields Boudicea Way, Colchester - meet at 6.15pm - all you need is a cycle helmet and £1 entry. Further information from David Triggs on 01206 571614.
