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Southend Wheelers youth riders, Matt Kane, Hannah Kane and Fergal Swanwick, were in action on Saturday competing in the Lea Valley winter series at the Redbridge Cycle Circuit at Hog Hill. More than 30 competitors took the start line in cold and windy conditions in the combined race for the under 16’s and under 14’s. In the first lap of the full hilly circuit, four riders broke clear of the main pack with Wheelers 15 years old Matt Kane in hot pursuit. However, the four stayed clear to the finish where the sprint to the line was won by CC Hackney rider Alex Peters with Kane finishing in a creditable 9th place. In the under 14’s category, 12 years old Hannah Kane took 2nd place in the girls competition while 13 years old Fergal Swanwick finished in a creditable 11th place. |
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Following the youth racing, veteran Southend Wheeler Graham Pearl competed in the 4th category event and figured prominently
in the early part of the race, but as the speed picked up the bunch disintegrated in the difficult conditions, leaving six riders
in the lead with Jacob Clark, University CC, taking the chequered flag. Pearl finished unplaced down the field.
The race for Elite, 1, 2and 3rd Category riders boasted a 30 strong field. The youngest competitor was Southend’s junior
17 year’s old George Pearl, now in his second year of senior races. Pearl controlled the front of the main bunch of riders
and chased down any dangerous attaching moves. Pearl, a hill climb specialist, made many aggressive attempts to break clear
of the field on the hill, but the combination of the wind and a strong main chasing group made it impossible for him to stay
clear. Joe Skipper, an Elite category rider, made what was the winning move of the day by racing clear of the bunch closely
shadowed by Pearl. However, after his previous efforts, Pearl was unable to maintain the fast pace and was absorbed by the
chasing pack. Skipper raced on to claim the top podium spot and Pearl finished in a creditable 11th spot in the hectic bunch
sprint to the line.
On Sunday morning the Southend Wheelers social and training rides based at Canewdon, went ahead as usual with a good turnout for the time of year. |
