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Team Milton Keynes Spring Youth Race #2- Sat 15th March - RACE REPORT

Today was the second round of the Team Milton Keynes youth circuit racing series. The weather was even warmer than last week - 17C with many T shirts in sight - although it was breezy again for the young riders. The event switched directions today racing around the MK Bowl circuit in an anti-clockwise direction, this meant a tailwind of sorts on the finishing climb, which was a longer drag than last weeks clockwise racing direction. The good weather meant that the crowd was good with lots of encouragement and applause for all riders as they crossed the line.

There was a good showing for CCA with entrants in the U8, U10's & U12's again. The results below are provisional - I will update them once Team MK announce the final results (probably on Monday)

Under 8's - CCA rider: Samuel Quiggin
9 riders started the 2 lap race and Samuel had his race face on from the start sprinting from the line. He moved clear on the back straight on the first lap and remained ahead through the 2 laps, finishing with a strong push up the hill to the line to win by 20 yards. Second win in 2 weeks - he seems to be enjoying the experience with this win taking him to a clear second place in the BC rankings for E category riders.

Under 10's - CCA riders: Mark Lightfoot & Nathan Hardy
This 5 lap race had a field of around 15 riders, with Mark and Nathan starting together on the second row.
Nathan stayed with the bunch for the first 2 laps but was distanced on the climb to the line in the second half of the race as the pace was relentless. He kept pushing well and finished with a group of riders in 8th place (I think!)
Mark rode strongly from the off and stayed with the main group of 6 riders throughout the race. On the last lap the field was strung out on the final climb and Mark came in 5th place (also I think!) behind winner Jed Smithson (Oxonian CC / Worx Bikes) who fought a hard contested uphill sprint with Caelan Miller (East London Velo)

Under 12's - CCA riders: Adam Lightfoot & Harley Pell
There was a great showing from both Adam and Harley in this 7 lap race.
Harley stayed with the main group until 2 laps to go and then looked like she had been distanced on the climb to the line, only to show true grit and determination to be back in the main group at the bell. Adam appeared comfortable in the main pack through the race, learning from last week and making more sparing turns on the front of the race.
On the final lap the race "exploded" (in Adams words) at the bottom of the descent with 2/3 of a lap remaining. The bunch was strung out across the back straight with Adam and Harley still in the mix. As the race entered the final climb to the line the gaps started to show and gaps of 5-10 yards between each rider. Adam came over the line in 8th place, wanting to make improvements to his finishing pace and Harley made a real strong showing achieving 9th overall and 2nd girl - significantly improving her position on the previous week.

Seeing CCA riders in the races was great to see the experience growing and learnings from the previous week being put into action so quickly. Speaking to them showed that all are really enjoying circuit racing. Massively encouraging!

The next MK races will be in 2 weeks on 29th March starting at 2pm

Photo's to follow

JRVM

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