Whilst thousands descended on Lichfield for the bank holiday Monday Bower around 300 were visiting for a slightly different reason. They were attending the 6th round of this years British Schools National Cycling championships, the grass track event at The Friary Leisure centre Lichfield under the organisation of centre manager Phil Kelly.

In the last year or so the Lichfield cycling clubs talent has really come to the fore and it’s now become almost expected that they get amongst the medals at these National events. And they didn’t disappoint. Once again Lewis Askey, Sophie Capewell and Emily Nelson dominated their age categories. Jacob Kelly took a silver in the boys under 14’s whilst Josie and Lucy Nelson, and Emily Capewell won bronze in their events. But what was really encouraging about this event was how the next phase of riders are beginning to emerge. In the under 8 boys newcomer Toby Barnes only just missed out with a 4th whilst Dan Cooper, Daniel Barnes, Ben Askey and Connor Smith battled it amongst each other all day eventually finishing 6th,7th,8th and 9th respectively. The performances of Ben and Connor are all the more remarkable given that they are not even 6 years of age yet!

In the under 10 boys Harry Yates, another newcomer, in only his second race put in a battling performance to take the bronze medal. Few people appreciate just how tough it is to race over the grass and Scotch Orchards Shannon Turner and Matthew Sisley were finding it particularly hard but both persevered eventually taking 4th and 7th. The under 12’s also saw improved performances from Jess Clark and Jonathon Groves who are starting to close the gap on their more experienced counterparts and they fought their way to commendable 5th and7th places. Regulars Isabelle Clarke, William Davies and Josh Nelson also put in spirited performances and weren’t far off the podium with 4th, 4th and 5th respectively.

In the under 14’s Oliver Pike and Will Hyde gave notice of the improved ability. Oliver Pike rode strongly all day and took a well deserved bronze medal whilst Will Hyde finished just behind in 4th.

Another rider in his first year James Newey, from John Taylor, took his first National title with a very mature performance in the under 16 category demonstrating superior strength and tactics throughout the competition.

But the 4 golds, silver and 5 bronze medals were not the end to the City’s success, local schools also took gold in the team competition. Scotch Orchard’s Lucy Nelson and Shannon Turner won the girls under 10 team prize whilst Emily Nelson and Emily Capewell took the team title for Nether Stowe in the under 12 girls competition.

Once again another successful day for our local cyclists and attention now moves to Bradford for the penultimate round, the time trial, with several cyclists strongly placed in the overall competition.