So keen and enthusiastic are the club’s juniors, it’s hard to keep track of them all, racing what appears to be virtually every weekend.
Fortunately, on Saturday four of them were all racing at the same venue, Solihull Cycling Club’s Tudor Grange Track. A great, figure of eight purpose built 1 km track, ideal for juniors to practice their skills and enjoy some close racing.
Jorgie Gillett and Henry Boyles lined up in the under 10s, who raced on a slightly shorter section of the circuit. In the 20-minute race, Jorgie got off to a good start and quickly gapped the other girls finishing in first place and gaining 2 laps on the next placed girl. Henry continued his tradition of poor starts, but then worked well around the fast circuit finishing 10th out of 15 riders.
Another top step for Jorgie Gillett
Poppy Kisley and Bella Boyles competed in the under 16 girls’ race, but just before it started, the heavens opened and it was looking like it was going to be a wet and slippery race. However, fortunately it soon stopped and the track started to quickly dry as the girls lined up for the start.
The race consisted of thirteen riders, six under 16 and seven under 14 girls. Right from the start two of the local riders got away, leaving Poppy and Bella in the chasing group. After a few laps, with Poppy on the front of the chasing group, it was clear that some of the girls in the group didn’t want to share the effort. So, Bella decided to attack and went solo for around 15 minutes, trying to chase the two leaders. Being a short lap, the two leading riders actually managed to lap the field, so Bella tactfully jumped on their tail as they did so, breaking away from the chasing group and guaranteeing her third place and third overall in the under 16 category. Poppy followed her home in fourth place.
Bella in third place