From youth to elite. Welland Valley Cycling Club started the day’s action at the Leicester Castle Classic with swarms of Whizz Kids enjoying the opportunity to race on closed city centre roads and ended the day with ex-Whizz Kid and Club member narrowly missing out on a fine victory to finish 2nd in the Elite race. Youth Development Officer Kevin Nicholls managed a keen eager talented bunch of Whizz Kids who participated in short snappy races. There were two events, the first was an Italian Pursuit with six riders per team followed by a bunch race. In the Italian Pursuit Whizz Kids A took on a combined Leicester Road Club/Rutland Rouleur team and after a slight confusion on the first turn the Whizz Kids battled well but were just pipped in the end. Whizz Kids B took on a composite team of more Whizz Kids/Lincoln/Hinckley riders and they prevailed over the 6 laps. In the final heat, a repeat of the first heat, the Leicester/Rutland composite team proved just too strong and caught Whizz Kids A with half a lap to go. In the bunch races Edward Hopkins came third in the U12 race, Huw Wilson got third in the U10s race while Hal Eastwood and Rudy Killworth finished second and third in the U8 race. Organiser Dean Hughes of British Cycling complimented Whizz Kids on their numbers and for their efforts on the day. Participating in the Senior race was James Moore, Jonny Unwin, James Garratt and Louis Killworth. From the start the pressure was on as the bunch of 60 riders hit the first corner with young James colliding with the base of a crowd barrier and sent sprawling on his knees. Two riders went away as the bunch tried in vain to close the gap. As the pressure went on, the bunch started to whittle down as the constant sprinting in and out of the corners took it’s toll. Safe in the pack was James Moore and Jonny Unwin, Louis was in the second group on the road. The leading duo contested the victory as the remaining places was decided in a bunch sprint. James used his explosive sprint to finish 7th (tbc) overall with Jonny safe in the pack and Louis finishing in the second group. There were a number of Welland Valley members who contested the Velobici Corporate Challenge. One member Mark McCarthy riding for Leicester Royal Infirmary enjoyed the lung bursting challenge. The heavens opened as the Elites set off to contest the latest round of the British Cycling Elite series. Sections of the 4.1km circuit looked decidedly greasy and as the riders entered the Castle Gardens the cobbles were covered very gingerly. The race came alive with 6 of the 20 laps remaining. Jon Mould attacked alone and was the long time leader before a further group of four including Atkins broke away from the pack, they soon caught Mould. Going in to the final lap it was going to be a very tactical sprint. Mould kicked out of the final corner with George fighting to draw alongside. As Mould took the victory salute, Whizz Kids patron Atkins was pleased with an excellent 2nd as he completes a big block of training. Many thanks to Ride Leicester, British Cycling and all the volunteers.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 19:56:27 +0000
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