Young cyclists impress at Whitworth Park BSCA event

Ben Mellor was the winner in the under-9 boys race.

Races were held for riders in U7 to U15 categories, and several MCC Riders took part in the races, representing their schools.

In the U7s race, Tom Woolf (All Saints) was fastest off the start line, closely followed by Oliver Hodgkinson (Lea Primary).

Tom slowly pulled away from the rest of the riders, George Parker (St Anne’s) briefly moved into second place, before Oliver Crane (Little Eaton) overtook him. By the third lap the leading riders began lapping the slower riders, and Tom continued to pull away and came home the winner, Oliver second and George third.

In the U7s girls race Olivia Reed (Darley Churchtown) made good progress around the sticky course with a mixture of riding and running with her bike, and she crossed the line the winner.

The course was lengthened and included a short hill climb for the older age groups. Harriet Limb (Crich Junior) took the lead in the U9 girls race, but Holly Hoy (Lea Primary) overtook on the second lap and opened up a commanding lead to take first place. Harriet was second and a good ride by Martha Buckler (St Giles) saw her take third.

The U9 boys race followed and saw Ben Mellor (Darley Churchtown) take the lead, hotly pursued by Finley Hill (Tansley Primary).

Nearing the end of the first lap Finley attacked but Ben held off and then pulled away. Ben gradually built up a good lead and took first spot. Oscar Atkinson tried in vain to gain on Thomas Prince and Owen Price (Firfield) who were third and fourth, but left his challenge too late and had to be content with fifth.

The U11 boys race ended as it started with Joshua Giddings (Granby) in first place followed by Jack Brough (St Johns) in second. The pair seemed inseparable until the closing laps when Joshua pulled away. Sam Gould (Darley Dale) finished third.

The final race included both U15 boys and U13 girls and boys.

Robert Towndrow’s (West Bridgford) smooth riding style made the most of the tough conditions and gradually opened up a good lead over Jack Bradley (Kirk Hallam). Robert won the U15s with Jack second.

In the girls’ race Amelie Wayte (Highfields) was in the lead for the first lap and had a lead of ten metres over Sarah Briggs (Derby High).

Sarah waited for the second lap to make her attack which proved decisive and soon created an unbeatable lead.

Sarah took first spot, Amelie second with Sara Gould (Highfields) in third place.

John Hursthouse (Highfields) was the winner of the U13 Boys race.