Phoebe Taylor, Albie Jones, Katie Robertson and Billy Ladle were crowned victorious in the National Youth Omnium Final after a fantastic season of exciting racing in the youth A and youth B track races.
A week after securing national titles at the youth circuit championships, Phoebe Taylor, Katie Robertson and Billy Ladle took home victories once again, while Albie Jones went one better than his silver medal last week to beat Leon Atkins by a single point.
In the youth A girl’s race, Taylor was dominant all day, reflecting her performances throughout the Youth Omnium Series to extend her unbeaten run and secure the overall national title. Taylor finished on 183 points, while consistent performances from Anna Lloyd saw her take second ahead of Millie Salmon.
In the youth A open race, Jones was looking for redemption after getting beaten by Atkins in the national circuit race the week before. Jones came out swinging on the track, clocking the fastest time in the time-trial, winning the keirin race and taking top fives in the scratch and elimination races. Atkins had a last-gasp stab at taking the title, coming into the final points race determined to close the gap on Jones. Atkins sprinted at every opportunity in a bid for the title, and came into the final lap sprint just one point behind Jones. With both riders having burnt all their matches, neither contested for maximum points as Jones secured the overall title on 158 points. Atkins had to be happy with second on 157 points, while there was also a battle for third place, with Joshua Jewitt taking the bronze two points ahead of Finlay Storrie.
There was another battle for the title in the youth B girls races, with defending champion Katie Lawson looking to better Robertson. Wearing number one on her back, Lawson took wins in the scratch and keirin races, while Robertson took first in the time-trial and elimination race. Again it was a fight for the title in the final points race, with the pair dominating every sprint lap, before a tight finish saw Robertson take second on the line ahead of Lawson in third. It was enough to secure Robertson the title on 173 points as Lawson took silver just a point behind. Esmee Bone finished third on 136 points after a string of consistent performances in the top placings throughout the day.
In the youth B boys race, Ladle proved his dominance by taking wins in races throughout the day, before a fourth place finish on the line in the closing points race saw him take the overall title with ease. Finlay Burns finished 20 points behind on 153 points, while Josh McClune secured the bronze.
