Karl Baillie (HMT Academy-JLT Condor) took a superb solo win in round nine of the British Cycling Junior Road Series at the famous Oliver’s Mount hill climb circuit overlooking Scarborough in North Yorkshire.

Baillie took his first win of the Series after a race-long scrap with Series leader Etienne Georgi (Giant CC-HALO Films), eventually breaking the shackles on the penultimate lap of a reduced race.

As the race rolled out around the short, flat, top circuit it was Joey Walker (RST Racing Team) and Jack Escritt (HMT Academy) who jumped off the front of the group and got an early gap. The pair set a rapid pace which would be characteristic of the race, and they were joined by Bike Box Alan's Kieran Simcox.

The trio set about increasing their lead over the chasing bunch and had worked well to keep a small lead over the field the first time up the steep climb back to the top loop.

Their glory ended on the following lap as the three were pulled back into the bunch, and Baillie soon took his chance as the field eased slightly on the climb. He took the race by surprise, no one reacting to the jump, but as the field came to the bottom of the climb the following lap the head of the race was as one.

Etienne Georgi put a big effort in as the climb began and got a useful gap, and sensing the danger Baillie went after the Series leader, taking Joey Walker along. It could have been a decisive move, but it was Georgi and Baillie who looked to be the strongest and they rode away still with some five laps remaining, the pair with around 40 seconds to the good at one point.

The pace remained high as the majority of the riders were now out of contention for a high finish. A chase group formed made up of Walker again with team mate Nathan Draper and Rob Scott (VCUK PH Mas) arguably the three riders who could catch the lead pair. But although managing not to get caught by the remnants of the field, Baillie and Georgi were just too far ahead to be troubled.

It would be the penultimate climb where Baillie took his chance. Georgi unable to respond, Baillie dug deep to increase the gap slightly and never looked back, taking the victory alone from Georgi.

Georgi goes into the final race at the Junior Tour of Wales next weekend still secure at the top of the leaders board. Joey Walker took third, sprinting away from Draper and Scott who still remains in second overall and in contention for the series title.

Results:

1. Karl Baillie (HMT Academy JLT Condor) 1.08.21
2. Etienne Georgi (GiantCC- Halo Films) at 10sec
3. Joey Walker (RST Racing Team) at 36sec
4. Nathan Draper (RST Racing Team)
5. Robert Scott (VCUK PH MAS) all same time
6. Alex Foster (Border City Wheelers) at 1.14
7. Owen Dudley (Manx Viking CC) at 1.15
8. Max Williamson (Bike Box Alan/Envelopemaster) at 1.17
9. Tom Chandler (Sherwood Pines SRAM)
10. Louis Modell (Catford CC Equipe Banks) all st