Last Saturday saw the start of three consecutive weekends of racing at the Curborough circuit with Sutton’s CC Giro club’s annual event. The day began with a one hour race and produced the best performance from local riders. Lee Westwood, junior rider Stewart Clayton, and James Newey, who’s not yet 16 but got dispensation to ride, set about the field from the start. The three covered every move and Westwood and Clayton got in a couple of breakaways themselves. Also, Newey wasn’t out of place though and rode strongly throughout. With all the breakaway attempts nullified the race came down to a bunch finish. All three local riders were in contention until with 2 laps remaining Newey was bought down in a crash at the hairpin. Westwood and Clayton avoided the melee to contest the finish, narrowly missing out on honours. It was disappointing as both had ridden really well with Lee Westwood clearly the class rider in the field.

The trio were expecting to be joined by veteran rider Graham Truelove who was putting the finishing touches to his preparations for this weekends National Masters Track Championships but he suffered concussion and a deep cut to his forehead which required 16 stitches as a result of a fall in the early morning damp conditions as he rode out to the circuit.

In the youth events, that were part of the National Series, the pace was too hot for Emily and Sophie Capewell who finished well amongst the girls but were behind the main group.

The standard of racing amongst the youth riders has increased immeasurably in recent years and there was another gutsy performance from Jacob Kelly in the under 14’s race. The young riders were averaging around 23mph round the tight circuit and despite being detached from the main group for a couple of laps Kelly fought his way back and was still able to contest the finish.

Sunday saw the youngsters at the Newcastle track for the final qualifying round for the National Omnium final. With Lichfield represented by the Capewell sisters and Jacob Kelly all three had moments to savour. Sophie took fourth in the TT, Emily rode an excellent Keirin to win her heat and similarly Jacob Kelly was narrowly beaten in his Keirin. All three featured in the overall points and now wait to see if they’ve done enough to qualify for the final at Manchester velodrome on the 8th August.