Last Sunday 12 members of Lichfield cycling clubs youth section travelled down to Portsmouth to contest the National Schools track championships. With riders ages ranging from 5 to 13 the local club was represented in almost every youth category. This was an excellent opportunity for some of the riders to show their skill on the track and there were some fantastic performances despite the awful weather. Not only was it cold but many of the riders had to complete the first event, the pursuit, in heavy rain.

Both Lewis Askey and Sophie Capewell were odds on favourites to win their events but an early upset for Lewis when he come 2nd in the pursuit meant he had to really battle hard to take 1st in the scratch race and in the sprint to claim the National title for under 10 boys. Sophie was too strong for the girls in her category comprehensively taking gold, but that didn’t stop her setting about the boys in the combined scratch race where she only narrowly missed out on beating them all.

Jacob Kelly found himself in a similar situation to Lewis when he was lying 3rd with one round to go in the boys under 14’s after a somewhat disappointing 3rd and 4th places. Jacob’s talent, however, shone through as he pulled it all out in the final event to take 2nd and with it the silver medal overall.

In the girls under 14’s there was real excitement as both Emily Capewell and Isabelle Clark’s track abilities came to the fore. Not only mixing it with the girls but finishing ahead of several boys in the combined scratch race. The girls finished a highly creditable 2nd and 3rd, running the eventual winner very close indeed. What was all the more remarkable was that this was Isabelle Clarks first ever track competition on a fixed wheel bike. In the under 8’s Emily Yates also took a bronze medal with her cousin Erin Staite just missing out once again. However, these girls are still very young and their attitude and approach shows real potential for the future. Erin’s brother Will along with Daniel Cooper also rode really well and although not making the podium this time with perseverance they too will get there.

It’s a similar story in the under 8 boys where Ben Askey and Joe Cooper stuck at it despite competing against riders 2 years older and they are clearly amongst the next wave of our emerging talent.

A special mention must also go to Harry Yates who is currently leading the under 12 boys season long competition but recent illness has left him struggling for form. Harry battled this and the conditions though to pick up some points and retain his overall lead.

The great effort and attitude of all the children was tremendous and made the long trip all the more worthwhile. The next championship is the grass track which takes place at Bromsgrove on the 22nd May.