In their first outing of the season four members of the HVW Youth Squad made a successful impression at the first Darely Moor Youth Races last Saturday. Each of them have moved up into a new category this year: Gabriel Cullaigh and Leon Taylor-Woodhouse to Youth A (U16); Joe Williams to Youth B (U14); and Jack Ford to Youth C (U12).

Youth A’s and B’s raced over 6 laps of the 1.7k course in a staggered start; and the Youth C’s, D’s and E’s rode for 5 laps and were also staggered according to age. Conditions were cold, damp and foggy (not at all unusual for Darley Moor!) with visibility down to about 250 yards, which meant riders disappeared from view on the outward and back straights of the course each lap.

In the first race Gabz and Leon put on an excellent display of co-operative riding as they each took turns leading the paceline in the breakaway group of 12 riders. Both looked very strong as the bell rang for the last lap and the pace visibly quickened. Away in the mist and out of view of the spectators two riders went down on the notorious hairpin bend but this did not deter our two riders who were still in the reckoning as they entered the last 150 metres.  However, a blistering sprint finish over the last 100 metres stretched the field and Gabz held out for 8th position and Leon 10th. Very well done guys, you had some serious opposition there.
Meanwhile Joe Williams had to take a lap out due to a mechanical (gears) but when he got back in he kept abreast of the lead group for three laps. Always the canny rider, Joe looked as if he was going to attack from the back as the group entered the the last 150 metres, but as with Gabz and Leon, he was up against some serious competion in his new category from all over the midlands and north of England. Nonetheless he held on and got 13th. Very well done Joe!
Last but not least Jack Ford rode an excellent race in the U12′s. Showing good race sense he kept abreast of the lead group for 4 of the 5 laps but ensured other riders did their share at the front.  However the pace quickened seriously in the last lap and despite a fantastic effort over the last 100 metres he finished 9th. Well done Jack. Super ride!

All four riders are going to Southport this Saturday.  They will be facing the same competitors, plus one or two more fast riders.
Good luck guys. You all look up for it this season and on Saturday you will know what to expect.

John Cullaigh