Text messages were flying as the coaches tried to keep up with the progress of the Staffordshire cycling clubs young cyclists who were competing in events up and down the country.

Under 14 cyclist Jacob Kelly began the weekend when he set off from his Staffordshire home at 9am on Saturday, with his father Phil, at the start of the 70 mile Wetherby to Filey Great Yorkshire Bike ride. The ride which takes place every year raises money for selected charities.

Meanwhile, at Halesowen, Staffordshire's Emily and Sophie Capewell were warming up in preparation for the 3rd qualifying round of the National Youth Track Omnium. The cyclists compete in 4 events, this time a 400m time trial, a scratch race, points race and a match sprint. Despite being the youngest in the field Lichfield's Sophie set the 2nd fastest time just behind Leicester’s Grace Garner. Such is the ability of the girls in the under 12 age group that only Joel Partington who is based at the National Velodrome in Manchester could break into the top six. Despite not being far behind on time Emily found herself in 14th of the 21riders,still a very commendable performance. In the bunch events the benefit of coming from a club who are based at a track facility was clearly apparent but the Lichfield sisters fought hard and Sophie managed to score in the points race. In the match sprints Sophie finished 3rd to gain more points and Emily moved up the results with an excellent win in her heat. Overall Sophie was 6th and Emily 16th and both now look forward to improving at the next round at Stoke in 2 weeks time.

By this time Jacob had completed his ride and was rapidly putting liquid and food back into his body in readiness for the penultimate round of the British Schools Cycling Championships, the time trial over a 10 mile course in Cleveland.

However, Sunday morning the focus moved to the Tudor Grange circuit in Solihull where Emily and Sophie were joined by Josh Nelson and another 38 riders as they competed in the 6th round of the National Circuit race championship. Perhaps lacking the experience of riding in such a large bunch the Lichfield trio found themselves towards the back of the bunch early in the race and on such a tight testing circuit it was then always going to be difficult but all three persevered. Josh eventually finished just outside the top 20 whilst amongst the girls Sophie finished 8th with Emily just behind in 9th.

In the supporting events Josie Nelson recorded a very creditable 2nd in the under 8 girls and Lucy Nelson finished 4th girl and in the under 10’s.

As they recovered Jacob Kelly was just setting off on his 10 mile time trial, only his 3rd ever event on open roads and finished in 25 minutes 34 seconds to claim the silver medal behind Edwynn Oliver-Evans. More importantly it consolidates his lead in the competition and he is now well placed for the overall title going into the final round, the hill climb, at Gorcott Hill, Redditch on the 8th August.