Last weekend Lichfield City Cycling Clubs young riders descended on Shrewsbury Sports village for the Midland circuit race championships on the Sundorne circuit. The morning began under grey skies and rain but nothing was going to get in the way of Staffordshires Lewis Askey who took the under 8’s race by the scruff of the neck from the start of the race. Awesome is the only way to describe how young Lewis rode as one by one he lapped all the riders bar one during the 10 lap race to take the division title. There could not have been a better start for the Lichfield team as Josie Nelson, who gets better race by race, took the girls title and is certainly one to watch for the future. There was also an excellent performance from Adam Stanley riding only his second ever race who finished just outside the medals.

With no riders in the under 10’s attention then fell on the Capewell sisters Emily and Sophie in the under 12’s. The race was quite tactical but both stayed in the leading group throughout with Sophie not quite being able to overhaul the leader in the sprint for the line and having to take 2nd whilst Emily came in eighth after some switching in the final gallop. However, it was enough for Sophie to take the girls title with Emily finishing 3rd.

In the under 14’s Lichfield’s sole representative was Jacob Kelly who was quick to recognise the danger of an early break way jumping clear of the bunch to form a four rider leading group. This group then stayed clear of the chasing group for most of the 20 minutes plus 5km race. In the final sprint it was clear that Jacob was still tired from the previous week’s epic 70 mile Yorkshire bike road and when the others went he wasn’t able to respond and finished 4th. It should be remembered that having just turned 13 Jacob was one of the youngest riders and this was a great performance.

Finally it was James Newey’s turn in a very competitive under 16’s race which had the largest field of the day. James rode with great maturity and was never outside the top 10. As the race neared the final stages it was clear it was going to come down to a bunch sprint. James began the sprint further back than he would have liked but when one of the riders in front fell he was quickest to react elevating himself to the silver medal position to round off a very commendable showing from the Lichfield riders. The younger element need to remain on their game though as several of the senior riders ready themselves for the National Masters Track Championships at the Newport Velodrome on the 3/4/5th/ July. Steve Clayton and flying Whittington postman Graham Truelove have been honing their form at the National Velodrome in Manchester and indications are that both are in good form and strong contenders for honours in 2 weeks time.