Three of our juniors where in South Wales this weekend competing in the Cadence RR based at Abergavenny, this event replacing the Martyn Ashfield stage race which is usually at Easter, the event had in well attended field of the Uks top juniors with a distance of 110Km it was a good test for the guys, Simon Yates got a great 2nd place, Adam was 14th and Martin Woffinden was 48th, Ex SCV rider Chris Sherriffs Team Wallace was 25th.

Well rode guys.

Long serving member and product of Eastlands and SCV development Sam Pedder as been on a 10 day training and race camp in Majorca, covering in excess of 800miles in and around the North of the Island based in Puerto Pollensa, last sat he competed in a Pro and Elites road race based near the islands capitol Palma, the race attracted several Spanish Pro and Elite teams, the race covered around 100miles of varying terrain. the race was like a tour de france stage with outriders doing rolling road closures, team cars, spectators the full trip, in the later end of the race sam managed to get into 3 unsuccessful breaks which were brought back by the bigger teams, he missed out on the succesful break within the last few miles but finished in the top 30. this was sams second full senior event which was a massive experience 150 riders started the event! and decending at speeds of 50+ mph and going around roundabouts and road furniture both sides aLa the Tour was unbelievable.

Over the last season Sam moved from SCV to GS Surosa to develop his road knowledge and as been mentored by Nigel and Mandy inview of development to elite and seasons based on the Premier calender and continental racing.

Thanks to all who have helped Sam at EV and SCV for many years. 

Two of our riders are competing in two road events in Belgium this weekend as part of a four man team, Jack Penrice and Jack Bowyer will be hoping to get in a good performance and a taste of continental racing.

All the best guys.

A full house.....

Following tremendous recent results at selection events for the Isle of Man Youthtour the six riders selected for the Northwest team are all Sportcity riders.

They are Matt Holmes, Chris Latham, Josh Penrice and the girls are Hannah Layland, Jess Anderson and Melissa Bury.

Well done and best of luck

Today was the first round of the Youth National circuit racing competition. I got there part way through the day arriving to see Leighton Sharman (Eastlands Velo) on the podium for 2nd place U12's.

The first race I saw was the U16's lads which originally was to be 2 heats and a final, but actually ran as a straight final because some of the riders who had entered the race didnt show at the start line.

The race was in Lincoln on a new course to most of the Sportciity riders and can be described as a good surface, flat and very exposed to the wind. As per Southport last week, the wind certainly played a part in the days racing)

The U16s (25mile race) rolled off and the pace was quick from the gun, the bunch stayed together for all of a lap and then groups of slower riders stopped to drift off the back of the main bunch. Once this sorting out had happened the main group stayed together with some probing attacks by a number of riders however non stuck.

In this bunch were Jack Bowyer, Josh Penrice, Matt Holmes, Jack Penrice, Chris Latham, Luke Boulton and Matthew Rotherham (hope I've not forgotton anyone!).

The race continued as a large bunch being driven with some riders clinging on to the back of the bunch. The Gamebreaker came when a Scottish rider broke for home and managed to stay away on his own for about 10 laps he was finally caught with 2 laps to go and it was game on for a bunch sprint!

There is a bend about 100m before the finish line (just like Preston Arena) and it was interesting to see who was going to do what. Chris Latham fired the gun before the bend, rounding the bend in first and rode over the line in first about 4 bikelengths clear. Matt Holmes finished in the bunch in 6th with a number of Sportcity riders just behind him. Chris I think I have your win on video!

Next up was the U14s boys (20 miles) Jake, Christian and Chris Lawless representing SCV/Eastlands. Christian was doing his 1st U14 national race and found the step up quite tough, Chris was going great until he had to pullout after feeling unwell (Dad to the rescue) leaving Jake in the race for us. In Jakes customary style he led the race from the front and him and another rider left the bunch and worked together to get a sizeable gap on the field. It was always going to be one of these two who would get 1st/2nd. Unluckily for Jake he was just pipped into 2nd on the line.

Last up was the girls U14/U16 combined event again over 20 miles and a large entry.

We had U14s Clare Gore, India Penrice and U16s was Jess Anderson, Sophie Gore, Hannah Layland, Melissa Bury.

This one went a similar way to the U14s boys with 2 great riders getting away early from the bunch and the bunch unable to catch their lead. A couple of riders had a good go at getting across to the two leaders but didnt have the horsepower so dropped to the chasing bunch of about 12 riders. In this bunch was Melissa, Hannah and Jess. One rider eventually got of the front meaning the bunch were essentially chasing for 4th place and below. A bunch gallop gave Melissa 5th by a wheel rim and Hannah and Jess were just behind. Further back in the field was Clare Gore who managed to get 3rd place U14 which is a great race given that this is only her second U14 race and places 1 and 2 U14 were both taken by 2nd year U14s.

So a 1st,2*2nd,1*3rds 1*5th not bad at all! Is this the best we have ever done?

I've dd some videoing so will see of we can set it up for the track session.

Ian