Holme Valley Wheelers Cycling Club

Juniors in action

Wednesday saw the first White Rose League at Wombwell – second in the series. This circuit varies from Richard Dunn, it is slightly shorter but much more technical with more twists and turns to negotiate. The torrential rain last Wednesday did nothing to help the tricky conditions, bringing some riders off.

Overall once again the performances of the Wheelers were superb. In the U16 boys Oli Futrell improved on his first performance at Richard Dunn by taking 3rd in the time trial and 6th in the road race, giving him 5th overall and 15 points. In the U14 boys Jacob Scott unfortunately came off in the road race due to the conditions but went on to improve his overall standing in the National Closed Circuit Roads series later on in the week (see below).

In the U14 girls Rebecca Addy continues to improve with 5th in the TT and 5th in the road race giving her 5th overall and 4 points. In the same age group Alex France was 6th in the TT and 7th in the road race and Sophie Williams was 8th in the TT and maintained the same position in the road race.

Lewis Byram continues to lead our U12 boys with a very good 2nd in the TT and 4th in the road race giving him 10 points and 4th overall. Close behind, despite his younger years, Joe Williams was 4th in the TT and 5th in the road race, giving him 5th overall and 5 points. On his debut ride Ben Dickinson did well to be placed 6th in the TT and 7th in the road race, with Andrew Farquhar close behind, 7th in the TT and 8th in the road race.

Lucy Farquhar was our only U12 girl at Wombwell and picked up some good points with 2nd in the TT and 2nd in the road race. Younger brother Nicky represented our U10 boys with 9th in the TT and 6th in the road race. Our best results at Wombwell came in the U10 girls with twin sisters Lucy and Erica Byram dominating the girls race. Lucy just beating Erica in the TT and gaining maximum points, with 1st and 2nd placings respectively and the same in the road race, putting Lucy in 1st place on 20 points and Erica in 2nd place on 14 points.

As mentioned early Jacob Scott was unlucky to fall off his bike and get some nasty cuts and bruises at Wombwell on the Wednesday evening, but he was up and back on his bike for another 3 days of racing at the weekend. Jacob was representing Yorkshire in the North West Youth Tour 3 day event which began on Saturday along the promenade in Blackpool. With howling winds blowing off the sea it was a day for the strong riders of which Jacob is one. He was 7th out of 32 riders in the 1 lap time trial in the morning and 5th in the afternoon in the 18 mile road race – Jacob was the victim of the high winds and some ‘litter bug’ as a plastic bag blew into his rear wheel forcing Jacob to stop and remove it! Overall after day one he was placed 6th. On the Sunday all change with the weather, perfect calm and warm conditions for the 12 mile road race where Jacob was placed 3rd. In the afternoon he had to race back the 12 miles he covered in the morning and took 5th position, again giving him 5th overall. On Monday at the Preston Sports Arena Jacob was disappointed to only be placed 8th in the 20 mile road race, after being ‘cut-up’ by another rider. Over the 3 days he gained 5th overall, an excellent result for 3 hard – but rewarding – days of cycling.

For all you budding Junior cyclists Go Ride, run by the Wheelers is now running every Thursday evening at Sands Holmfirth from 7 – 8pm with coaches David Williams and Rachael Mellor. Come along to learn new cycling skills and have fun – cost is £1. Please bring suitable clothing, well maintained bike and a helmet.