National MTB Championships
This weekend saw the UK’s top cross-country mountain bikers converge on Aske Hall, North Yorkshire. The already challenging course was made even more difficult due to the torrential rains on Saturday. With some very steep and slippery drop-offs many of the riders spent most of Saturday afternoon testing out the course, practising the many technical sections.
The first race on Sunday morning was for the Youth and Juvenile riders, the boys and girls under 16 and under 14. Holme Valley Wheelers’ rider 13 year old Amira Mellor was competing in the Juvenile girls’ race, on one lap of the course. Amira is presently ranked 4th in the country for the National Series despite being one race down on the other girls. Normally at these races the girls ride the same amount of laps as the boys, but at the National Championships the girls only have to ride one lap. The race would be a fast one due to it being so short, so a good fast start was vital.
Amira was in 5th after the start but started to pull back places as they climbed up the first challenging hill. By the end of the first drop-off she was in 2nd and began her tousle with Scottish rider Erika Allen, (Stirling Bike Club – Wallace Warriors). Ffion James, Abergavenny RC – who is winning the series, was already getting a lead on the other girls. The girls went off into the woods out of sight of most spectators where some slippery sections could easily change the riding order. Amira came out second with Erika still on her wheel but on a short up-hill Erika saw her chance and pulled past Amira, leaving her to do the chasing. They were now well in front of the other girls and pulling away.
Back into the tricky woods with protruding roots and a nasty switchback climb the girls rode hard to maintain their positions. Down another drop-off and onto the long gradual fire road climb towards the finish. Another Scottish rider, who is presently ranked 2nd in the country, Elena Melton, was quickly closing the gap on Amira. She had to give everything to hold her position and be sure of a medal.
Final result was Welsh rider Ffion James first home in 24:17, 2nd was Scottish rider Erika Allen 24:59 and Amira 20 seconds back in 3rd place (25:19), – her first podium position at a National Championship.
The adult races took place throughout the day with the weather warming up slightly and the rain abating. Winner of the Female Senior National Championship race was Annie Last (Boardman Elite) who won by over 6 minutes. Amira met Annie (U23 World Silver medallist) recently on a British Cycling ‘School of Racing’ day at Wharncliffe Woods, where she answered questions from other young mountain bikers about her career as a professional mountain biker. Liam Killeen, (Giant Factory Off Road Team), was the male winner by over 2 minutes.
Posted in Events,Ladies,News,Photographs,Press,Results,Youth on the 17th July 2011
Our Young Wheelers Spin at Manx Tour
Ten members of our Youth Squad made a great impression at the Isle of Man Youth Tour last bank holiday weekend.
The tour is part of the British National Series and is a beacon for all young cyclists around Britain. Known for its toughness and intensity it is a three stage series.
The Friday evening Prologue was a 1.29k time trial along a section of Douglas Promenade in which all 250 competitors took part. Conditions were dry but a fierce headwind on the outward section meant no records were to be broken on the night.
Saturday’s stage was a very tough closed circuit race (7.25k) around Glen Vine and Braaid. Again conditions were dry and hot but the wind made the usually fast 1.5k descent from Braaid to Glen Vine hard work for all riders. At the bottom of this descent riders were confronted with a sharp left hand bend and an immediately tough 20% climb for 0.8k up Ellerslie, shortly after which another sudden but longer climb of 2k by 7% up The Garth towards Foxdale had to be engaged. The finish line was located at the top of the Ellerslie hill climb which meant riders had to seriously pace themselves for what sprint was left in them for the last 30 metres.
Sunday’s last stage was at the National Sports Centre at Quarterbridge just outside Douglas around the purpose built 0.8k track.
In the U10 category debutante Thomas Ford completed the time trial (TT) in 2mins.21secs; came home 12th in stage two; and rode a brilliant race in no-man’s behind the lead group for 10 laps in the final stage to gain 13th place. He finished 13th overall in the General Classification (GC)
Brother Jack posted 2.15 for the TT in the U12’s; rode a valiant race to get 15th in stage two; and held on to 24th place in the finale – giving him 20th overall in the GC. In the same category Nicholas Farquhar posted 2.35 in the TT; got 26th in stage two; and finished 27th in the finale – giving him 27th overall. And in the girls U12’s debutante Hermione Cullaigh posted 2.40 for the TT; came 7th in both stages two and three and finished overall 7th.
In the U14 girls Amira Mellor and Lucy Farquhar had great success in a very tough field. Amira posted 2.07 in the TT; got a very creditable 8th in the gruelling stage two; and rode a very intelligent race throughout stage three to gain 9th – giving her 8th in the GC. Lucy also rode bravely throughout the tour: posting 2.15 in the TT; getting 11th in stage two; and finishing 15th in stage three – giving her overall 13th position in the GC. Joe Williams and Andrew Farquhar had mixed fortunes in the U14 boys. Joe posted 2.26 in the TT; got 31st in stage two; and found himself off the back of the chase group in the last stage to finish 31st – giving him 39th in the GC. Andrew posted 2.31 in the TT; finished 32nd in both stage two and three – giving him 32nd in the GC.
Gabz Cullaigh was the only HVW in the boys U16, but was up against ex-wheelers Leon Gledhill and Jacob Scott, both of whom now ride for Planet X. He posted 1.58 in the TT, 8 seconds behind Leon and 9 behind Jacob. Jake Ragan (British Cycling North West Region) won this event with a time of 1.45. In stage two Gabz had to learn a very valuable lesson in competitive cycling… when it is not your day, it is not your day! Despite looking very strong going into the second lap, particularly in his second ascent up Ellerslie, his chain came off twice in successive laps at the start of the long climb up The Garth. He then made the mistake of trying too hard to make up lost ground on an unforgiving circuit and had to be content with 48th position at the finish. This meant he failed to make the cut for the A race in stage three but, tomorrow is always another day and he rode a very intelligent race to finish in 8th place – giving him 34th in the GC.
Sophie Williams was the only HVW in the girls U16. She got off to a great start in the TT and posted 2.30. In stage two she found herself off the back of the main chase group for most of the race and despite a brave finish all the way up Ellerslie she had to be content with 15th position. Similarly in stage three she found herself off the back of the peloton and was unable to make ground in the final lap. Nonetheless she finished 16th in the GC.
Very well done everybody. Excellent effort. You all did Holme Valley Wheelers proud and are a credit to the club. I would travel anywhere with every one of you!!!!
John Cullaigh
Posted in News,Photographs,Results,Youth on the 4th May 20115 Mile TT – 20 April
Result of 5mile on 20 April 2011
- Leon Taylor Woodhouse – 14.17
- Lewis Byram 14.20
- Amira Mellor 14.58
- Lucy Farqhur 15.55
- Joe Williams 16.20
- Robert Hinchliffe 17.00
- Andrew Farqhar 17.10
- Sophie Williams 18.20
- Eddie Hinchliffe 18.32
- Shea Kerry 19.19
Many thanks to all helpers. Please note no 5 mile next week. We will let you know when the final one will be , please watch your emails.
Christine
5 Mile TT – 13 April
Junior/Juvenile 5 mile Time Trials
April 13th 2011
- Gabriel Cullaigh 14.36
- Lewis Byron 14.49
- Amira Mellor 15.26
- Joe Williams 16.29
- Robert Hinchliffe 17.07
- Andrew Farqhur 18.17
- Shea Kerry 19.24
- Eddie Hinchliffe 20.14
5 Mile TT – 6 April
Junior/Juvenile 5 mile Time Trials
April 6th 2011
- Jacob Scott 12.49
- Leon Gledhill 13.32
- Gabriel Cullaigh 13.50
- Leon Taylor Woodhouse 13.52
- Lewis Byron 14.59
- Amira Mellor 15.26
- Joe Williams 16.20
- Robert Hinchliffe 17.15
- Andrew Farquhar 17.40
- Shea Kerry 19.07
- Jack Smith 19.47
- Eddie Hinchliffe 20.37
Youth Squad Impress At Darley Moor
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
Posted in News,Youth on the 8th March 2011Newsletter – Jan 2011
Posted in News,Newsletter,Results,Social,Youth on the 4th January 2011Sprint school at Newport Velodrome
Sprint school at Newport Velodrome. Ed Clancy was guest coach and our kids thought he was great.
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