NW Youth team clinches silver in Inter-regional championship

Whilst the UCI races had to be cancelled today at Clanfield due to tree-falling concerns in the storm, our youth team stormed to second place in the Youth Inter-regional Championships at the same venue.

With the adapted Youth races able to take advantage of a smaller circuit away from the danger areas, Sarah and Ethan Grimshaw looked after our brilliant youngsters all weekend.

It has been many years since there has been an inter regional cyclocross championship so riders got to experience a whole new multi event format.

Points were awarded for riders finishing position in the trophy race which gave them their gridding position for a floodlit sprint race in the evening. This was fast and furious on a slippy muddy course. With challenging weather conditons the decision was made to amend the second day’s racing but allow it to continue. Riders were only allowed to walk the skills course before racing This was a series of gates to be ridden through in order with some compulsory discounts. Penalties were given for touching gates or going the wrong way. The final race was a team relay whereby teams started on their overall position. With a third place start team NW had a good initial battle with Yorkshire and Central, positions changed as the race went on but NW stayed in contention leading some laps. The final lap was close and saw South coming through first to win the overall followed by NW and Yorkshire.

Charlie, Jess, Sam, Katie, Toby, Liv, Seraphina and Oscar all rode exceptionally well and conducted themselves so well in representing our region. Well done to all the riders who took part and a huge thankyou to Solent Pirates for putting on a fantastic event in such challenging circumstances.