The first of Carlisle Cycling Association’s Twilight Zone evening race series got off to a good start with 22 youth riders and 37 adults competing.
A strong Scottish contingent dominated the youth racing, with the three Stewart brothers from Dumfries coming home first in the Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 boy’s categories.
Kasey Park of Edinburgh won the Under-14 girls event and Isabel Barbour, also from the Dumfries area, was victorious in the Under-12 girls.
The Under-16s boys race produced the closest finish of the night after in-form Matthew Bell, of Penrith, fresh from some excellent recent results in Spain with his team Kirklees Cycling Academy, led the field from early in the race.
He looked set for the win, but a fantastic finish from Colin McGourty of East Kilbride Race Club saw him grab victory on the line by the narrowest of margins.
It wasn’t all about the Scots though. Freya Cochrane of Cockermouth Youth Cycling Club took home three points for winning the Under-16 girls, while the Under-14s boys winner was Mason Bulfin who had travelled from the North East to race.
Several youngsters were racing for the first time and there was a good showing from everyone, with the racing notable for the excellent behaviour and sporting spirit shown by the riders.
The adult race had a large field and got off to a very quick start, with an early attack from local rider Jude Davison stringing out the bunch initially.
Unfortunately, a crash involving several riders led to the race being neutralised but it proceeded uneventfully after the restart and there was a strong display of riding from eventual winner Lewis Martin.
A close battle ensued for the remaining podium places with Frank Moore narrowly edging out Jude Davison for second.
The battle for the minor places was fierce, with a strong group including up-and-coming rider Oliver Newton and local favourite Matt Atkinson of Beacon Wheelers, clearing up the remaining points.
The youngsters will be back in action tomorrow when CCA hosts the first round of this year’s North West Youth League and the cross border rivalry is likely to be strong again.
The next adult racing is on Thursday starting at 6.30pm.
