Racing resumed in Carlisle Cycling Association’s evening series last night after the half term break.
Quite a number of the riders had competed in races at Silloth at the week-end so there were some tired legs and sore hands after the hard work of racing on the cobbles there. Nevertheless there was some good riding to be seen on the Circuit this week.
The younger children’s racing was again dominated by the Stewart brothers of Castle Douglas, though this week Josh had some good quality competition from Leo Walsh riding for Salt Ayre Cogset in the Under 12 category.
Brother Cobey fought-off Jake Gibson and Harry Little to win in the Under 10 boys. Martha Pugh won the under-10 girls race, Ivy Hughes was victorious in the under 8 boys, and the youngest of the three Stewart brothers, Mitch won the Under 8 boys.
In the older children’s race it was a good night for Beacon Wheelers with Dan Cooper winning the under-16 boys and Luke Davison taking first in the under-14 boys. Izzy Barbour of Stepping Stanes Youth Cycling Club beat Eilish Gaffney of Johnstone Wheelers into second in the under-14 girls race.
The fastest lap of the night in the Youth races was ridden by Hexham’s Wilfred Pugh in the under-14 boys’ race, and Izzy Barbour was the most combative rider of the night.
The adult race for Category 3 and 4 riders was a cagey affair, with little by the way of attacks for most of the race. The strong winds, particularly in the back straight, were energy sapping and the bunch stuck together largely until the last lap.
Well-known local rider Russell McLean made a strong attack from the bell but was caught by the group with over half a lap to go, and the scene was set for a bunch sprint for the line.
Tom Hartwell of the University of Leeds Cycling Club beat Chris Little of Studio Velo to the line and the final podium place was taken by a fast-finishing James Parkin of Beacon Wheelers who was also the highest placed rider from a Cumbrian club.
The Youth riders get a rest next week as the programme consists of a selection of races for adults of all categories. Let’s hope the good weather holds!
