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British Schools National Grass Track Champion
On Saturday Nathan Hardy was at Roundhay Park in Leeds for the British Schools Grass Track Championship.
The schools use slightly different age groups from BC so Nathan was in the U11 category rather than racing up a year in the U12s. The other difference from BC meetings is that fixed wheel bikes aren't allowed until the U15 age group so the cyclocross set up got an early outing.
The event format was a 3 race omnium consisting of a 1 lap sprint, 1200m pursuit and finally a 1200m scratch race. The draw for lane order on the sprint saw Nathan starting from the outside and was able to get a clean start hitting the front after about 50m. Strong riding meant Nathan was able to hold off the field and cross the line a clear winner, however the race was declared void as one rider had missed the start, not realising the heats had been changed to a straight final. For the rerun Nathan got drawn on the inside and got a little boxed before going back and round the group to just get the bike over the line, winning by less than half a wheel.
Nathan's pursuit heat was first up in the U11s and saw a close race to clock 2:29 for the 3 laps. This proved to be 4 seconds faster than anyone else was able to do on the Roundhay Park bowl. Two races, two wins.
The final 3 lap scratch race was on wet grass as the weather closed in. The race was together at the bell with 3 riders pulling away with 300m to go. Nathan got to the front but left a small gap on the inside and it was neck and neck up the home straight. With another good throw of the bike over the line Nathan managed to complete a clean sweep, taking a third race win to become National Schools Grass Track Champion.
Great to race in a different venue and against other competitors outside of the Eastern region.
The schools use slightly different age groups from BC so Nathan was in the U11 category rather than racing up a year in the U12s. The other difference from BC meetings is that fixed wheel bikes aren't allowed until the U15 age group so the cyclocross set up got an early outing.
The event format was a 3 race omnium consisting of a 1 lap sprint, 1200m pursuit and finally a 1200m scratch race. The draw for lane order on the sprint saw Nathan starting from the outside and was able to get a clean start hitting the front after about 50m. Strong riding meant Nathan was able to hold off the field and cross the line a clear winner, however the race was declared void as one rider had missed the start, not realising the heats had been changed to a straight final. For the rerun Nathan got drawn on the inside and got a little boxed before going back and round the group to just get the bike over the line, winning by less than half a wheel.
Nathan's pursuit heat was first up in the U11s and saw a close race to clock 2:29 for the 3 laps. This proved to be 4 seconds faster than anyone else was able to do on the Roundhay Park bowl. Two races, two wins.
The final 3 lap scratch race was on wet grass as the weather closed in. The race was together at the bell with 3 riders pulling away with 300m to go. Nathan got to the front but left a small gap on the inside and it was neck and neck up the home straight. With another good throw of the bike over the line Nathan managed to complete a clean sweep, taking a third race win to become National Schools Grass Track Champion.
Great to race in a different venue and against other competitors outside of the Eastern region.
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