Carlisle Cycling Association closed their season with a full day of racing at the cycle circuit at Harraby on Saturday.
The day started with cold, but bright weather, and nearly 30 youngsters competed in the Youth races in the morning.
All competitors took part in two races, first a time trial, racing individually against the clock to see who could ride the fastest laps of the circuit, and then a group race against riders in the same age group.
Riders from as far afield as the Isle of Man, Scotland and Yorkshire competed against more local riders and there was a great spirit of friendly competition.
Winners included the three Sleightholm siblings from Yorkshire, Betty, Harriet and Arthur, and brothers Joud and Haris Riaz.
The other girls’ races were won by Imogen Watkins, Hannah Winkley and Eva Hauge. Leo Walsh and Ewan Whiting were also podium toppers in the boys races. But the biggest cheer of the morning was for little Eliette van Schelven who completed her first ever competitive bike race at just four years old and had a huge smile on her face throughout.
Unfortunately. the weather took a turn for the worse in the afternoon and the adults competing in the Regional A race endured torrential rain and strong winds during their five lap time trial.
Spectrum Racing’s Ben Harrison took the win, completing his ride in a fraction under 6 minutes 54 seconds, not the fastest time ever seen on the circuit but extremely impressive given the appalling weather conditions. Sam Barbour and Jude Davison took second and third with Dan Kendall in fourth.
This group of riders then had a break whilst a group of Category 4 riders battled it out on the circuit in improving weather. Youngest rider in the race, 17-year-old Louie Wilson went home with the first prize of a hamper of flapjack donated by Fellbar as well as 10 British Cycling ranking points.
The skies were blue by the time the Regional A riders returned for their group race. Local rider Alex Foster led the race solo for a long time but was gradually reeled in by the bunch in the closing laps.
However, his Wolf Cycles team mate Dan Kendall broke away almost as soon as Foster was caught and managed to maintain his lead to the finish. By this time hail was falling but it didn’t stop a hotly contested sprint for second, with Sam Barbour narrowly beating Jude Davison and Ben Harrison.
With the same top four riders in both stages of the race but in a different order there was a short wait to find out who was the overall winner, but Ben Harrison was ultimately named victor, winning a voucher for nutritional services worth £150 from Endurance Academy.
The riders and volunteers also enjoyed sweet treats donated by McVitie’s and The Gather cafe and CCA would like to thank all the sponsors for their donations which helped make the day such a success.
