Lewis Askey re-took the lead in the British Cycling Youth Circuit Series after Round 4 at the Hillingdon Circuit on Saturday. The RST RT rider saw off competition from previous series leader Sam Watson and Alfie George to win the U16 Boys category.
In the U16 girls, Emma Funicane left it until the final lap to show a late burst of pace to win her race on the finishing straight.
Jack Brough took the win in the U14 boys category while Eva Young won the girls equivalent in the same age group.
U16 Boys
Arguably the most active race of the day was the Under 16s Boys race with Askey (RST RT) looking to re-take his lead in the series from Chevin Cycle’s Watson.
The race was always going to be attack and chase down and it proved to be just that. In the opening stages of the race it was Askey who along with George (Discovery Junior CC) and VC Londres’ Tom Portsmouth who made the first move of the race popping out the head of the race to test the legs but the large field were having none of it and soon the race was back together.
It was mid way through the race when the next attack went, again, Askey along with Charlie Waters (Vc Club Venta), Max Rushby (Pedalsport CC) and James Codd (Backstedt/HotChillie) went away but again as before to no avail.
The feel of the race already decided by itself that it would come down to a sprint. Small attacks would be the order for the remainder of the race with both Askey and Watson responding to any attack, Leo Hayter (VC Londres) made a useful looking play with five laps remaining but was brought back as the race lined itself up for the finish, the whole field hitting the final lap together and although a touch of wheels saw a good number crash the front of the race remained safe, charging up the home straight Askey taking the right hand barriers to take win from Watson and George.
U16 Girls
The Under 16s girls race would prove to be a difficult race for any rider to make any real impression on proceedings
It was almost the mid-race point before any rider made a move, Toni Wilkes (Kent Velo RT) jumped away but the attack wouldn’t last a lap and would be another 15 minutes before Eleanor Smith (Team Jadan Weldtite) tried her luck with an attack on the top part of the circuit but again the break wasn’t allowed to stay and the race, as the previous race looked as though it would down to a bunch sprint.
Alice Standish (Team Empella CX ) attacked as the lap board showed four laps to go but the field dragged her back and though she tried again on the penultimate lap the race was back together for the final lap, Funicane attacking half way up the finishing straight to take the win, no one able to respond to her turn of speed.
Danielle Parker (Cycle Specific) brought the rest of the field home just ahead of Ella Barnwell (Backstedt/HotChillee) who increases her series lead over Amelia Sharpe (RL360 IOM.
U14 Boys
Jack Brough (MI Racing Academy) took the win in the Under 14 boys race. Brough - fresh from second in the previous weeks Youth Paris - Roubaix stole a march on seocnd place Tom Sharples (Welwyn Wheelers) and Innes Harvey (VC Londres) in the sprint after a race that saw the field pretty much stay together from the start.
Although there were numerous attacks off the front throughout, no one rider was able to get any kind of time gap to stay away from the big bunch or was allowed to split the race apart. With the race coming into the final five laps it was Bourne Wheeler’s Owen Lightfoot who made a play for glory but was chased down before the lap was over , the final four laps the race stayed together hitting the finish together.
U14 Girls
Eva Young (Pedal Power RT) took the win in the Under 14s girls race from Zoe Backstedt (Backstedt/HotChillee) and Imani Pereira-James (East Kilbride RT) after an almost lifeless stroll around the circuit.
Backstedt was marked by the field with any kind of move she tried to make, only Izzy Escalera (VC Londres) made any serious attempt to attack but any move was marked out by the field.
All eyes turned to an heroic ride by Flora Perkins (VC Londres) who punctured with only 30 minutes gone and chased back on with Under 10 gears making the effort even more special, catching the field with just a little over a lap remaining to finish safely in the main field.
Results
U16 Boys
1. Lewis Askey (RST RT)
2. Sam Watson (Chevin Cycles.com)
3. Alfie George (Discovery Junior CC)
4.Tom Gloag (VC londres)
5. James Codd (Backstedt / HotChillie)
U16 Girls
1. Emma Funicane (Towy Riders)
2. Danielle Parker (Cycle Specific)
3. Ella Barnwell (Backstedt/HotChillee)
4. Sophie Lewis (Cycle Club Ashwell)
5. Olivia Bent (Team Jaden Weldtit)
U14 Boys
1. Jack Brough (MI Racing Academy)
2. Tom Sharples (Welwyn Wheelers CC)
3. Innes Harvey (VC Londres)
4. Kieron Riley (langdale Lightweights RT)
5. Josh Giddings (MI Racing Academy)
U14 Girls
1. Eva Young (Pedal Power RT)
2. Zoe Backstedt (Backstedt/HotChillee)
3. Imani Pereira-James (East Kilbride RT)
4.Izzy Brickell (Fareham Wheelers)
5. Isabelle Escalera (VC Londres)
Gallery
