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Report: Youth CiCLE Classic

Event: 17th April 2011
Promoted by: Leicester Cyclists Association
Event HQ: Owston Village Hall

A bright, sunny day welcomed the 70 boys and girls to the normally sleepy village of Owston for the inaugural Youth CiCLE Classic. The event, which was staged whilst the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic was lapping Rutland Water, witnessed many of the best youth riders in the country experiencing a slice of the classic event that is widely regarded as the leading single day race on the domestic calendar.

Just like the International, the course presented to the youth riders was challenging, tough and technical and included a ‘sector' of rough track from the Elite event that the boys would have to tackle some 32 times and Youth A&B girls, 17 times! A tough climb up the finishing straight and longer than average race distances made for a unique event, that had its story told on many a face as the young riders battled it out for the top spots.

Youth A/B Girls

A small but high quality field of A & B girls took to the start line at 9.15 to face 17 miles of racing around the 1 mile lap. It was quickly apparent that a number of the girls were not going to bow down to the severity of the course and were piling on the pressure from the word go. It was also evident that some of those girls pushing the pace as the race completed its opening laps were the younger Youth B riders - it was going to shape up into an exciting race!

Before half distance a number of attempts to break clear had been made by a small group that was forming itself at the head of the race, including Bethany Hayward (Welwyn Wheelers), Kiera McVitty (Kingscliffe Flyers) and local riders and clubmates, Leicestershire Road Club's Grace Garner and Charlotte Broughton. The two Leicestershire girls were noticeably active in making sure no one got an inch as riders continued to put the pressure on each lap through the finish and up the deceptively tough hill. The Welsh pair of Amy Hill (Newport Velo) and Rebecca Hunt (Cardiff Ajax) were also in the lead group along with Planet X's Melissa Lowther, but as the pressure was once again put on at the front of the race, the group began to split with Hunt and Hill dropping back to form a chase group along with Eleanor Dickinson (Beacon Wheelers) and Abby-Mae Parkinson (Aire Valley RT).

Working together, the chase group reduced the gap to allow Hill the opportunity to get back to the leaders and this time the young (Youth B) Dickenson also made it across and was now also in the hunt for a podium position. But having been quietly waiting and riding with the experience of a seasoned rider, Welwyn's Beth Hayward came into view on her own having rid herself of the other leaders and wasn't looking back. Tapping out a great rhythm up the climb through the finish, the slight Welwyn rider was riding controlled whilst clearly committed and it was all going to be down to what the chase group could do about bringing her back...

With 3 laps remaining, the gap had increased and it looked like a solo victory was on the cards until a determined Keira McVittly took off in pursuit of the lone leader and with just 2 laps and 2 miles to go, a great finish was taking shape....

At the bell, McVitty had made contact, and having immediately attacked as they approached the rough sector at the bottom of the course, wasn't able to get the vital gap and Hayward was right there, and through the finish surged again. McVitty responded but a slight slip of the gears left a vital few meters to close which could have been crucial, but back into view for the final time and the two were together...

As the two of them came into view side by side they wound up the sprint but as the road steepened 30 meters before the line Hayward managed to pull a bike length gap that would give her the well earned victory after a tough 17 miles. Grace Garner convincingly grabbed the final podium spot with a well timed sprint that saw her gain four bike lengths and also claim the first U14 prize.

Youth A Boys

With just one rider not taking the start line, 49 boys got under way and immediately opened up the race that at 50 km was likely to be one of the longest races most of them would ride as youth category riders.

It was evident from the first couple of laps that the course was going to take it's toll on the young riders, but that wasn't going to stop Chris Lawless (Maxgear RT) from launching an attack early on to put even more pressure on the front. Later in the day he spoke about this being his plan - to split the race up and make sure he didn't get caught up in any crashes during the early stages, when the big bunch was tackling the technical ‘sector' of the course. After spending a number of laps out front, Lawless was joined by Halesowen's Callum Fergusson but with the bunch strung out behind, it was soon all back together.

The early pressure at the front of the race caused many splits and a front group of around 10 riders had established itself with all the favourites in there with the exception of Kristian Woolf (Kings Cliffe Flyers) who had ridden strongly in the opening round of the National Series in Bristol two weeks ago and Zachery May (Cardiff Zif) who were both unfortunately involved in an early crash and left to chase.

As the pressure went on again a few riders began to show they meant business. Most notably Matt Godden (Gloucester City CC) had several attempts to break clear and was often pushing the pace up the hill through the finish, and both Tao Geoghegan Hart (Cycling Club Hackney) and Ben Chapman (Prestige Velo Club) tried on more than one occasion to split the lead group down further as the race passed through the finish line.

As the riders entered the last third of the race, the full effects of the tough course coupled with the longer than usual distance were taking their toll. The leading group was now firmly in control of the race having been increased in size by one when Gavin Shuttleworth (Stirling Bike Club) made a great effort to bridge the gap.

With seven laps remaining bad luck struck in the form of a rear wheel puncture for Jake Ragan (Teamwallis CHH Racing Team). Jake had been looking comfortable in the lead group all race and although a hard chase followed, he wouldn't see the front of the race again, and neither would the chasing group as they entered the last couple of laps around the village.

With various attempts to break clear coming to nothing, the leaders were poised to sprint it out unless anyone could get one last attack to stick... As they came into view with 100 meters to go to the line Lawless, who'd set the race alight early, was clear and held a 10 meters lead and that was enough to give him a much deserved win, with Ollie Wood (Aire Valley RT) taking 2nd and Geoghegan Hart in 3rd.

British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.