Well with the first four races done and dusted, Rovers Youth's have certainly left their mark.
It all kicked off at Essex Roads CC at Basildon with a hill that killed the most experienced riders let alone the Youth Riders. I almost felt honour bound to call the NSPCC and report mass child abuse on a scale probably never seen before in Essex. Seeing Cam Hurst, Oli Partner and Dex Mansel Thomas struggling up that hill it made me realise just how determined our young riders are. Dex Mansel Thomas even rode up the whole of the hill on the first lap. It was an amazing site. The Under 12's were spared this particular torture with a course that was more undulating, yet still had some nice tight turns, I know this because I went around it, slowly. The Under 12's race was hotly contested Dan Hall nipping at the heals of leader group all the way. It was a joy to Jack Emerson back on form and racing well followed by Oli Welstead on his maiden ride on his new Cross Bike. Jodie Taylor was first girl home followed by Zoe Swainston and Evie Stepney. The under 10's race was another hotly contested race with Max Rethman eventually splitting the two Ashwell CC Youth Riders to take 2nd place. Isla Swainston finished second girl followed shortly after by William Morrison and James Morrison. Biggest smiles of the day definitely has to go to those last three as I believe this was their first cyclo-cross event.
This was followed one week later by the highly successful Amis Velo Hillyfields Supercross, which almost had a Colchester Rovers Carnival feel, as most of us seemed to stay the whole day, unless of course you had the miss fortune of owning the child that fell in the stinging nettles!!! And such a great turn out. in the junior catgory we had James Jackson battling it out in the front group leading home quite a few of adults including our very own James Hockridge, now that is impressive! In the Youth race it was again Cam Hurst leading the way, followed by Dex Mansell thomas, Oli Partner and Bob Longstaff. Unfortunately Tom White was dogged with bike failure. The Under 12's rode on a slightly modified course which seemed to suit Dan Hall who diced with the lead group and eventually finish a very credible 5th. The trio of Jack Emerson, Jack Letch and Aeddan Seaward followed shortly after, half expected them to yell out "All for one and one for all"!!!! Once again Jodie Taylor was first girl home followed by Amelia Hopper and Evie Stepney. Thomas Carson and Oli Welstead seemed to be having their own personal battle out there, taking it in turn to lead the way. The Under 10's race yet again was a battle between CC Ashwell and Colchester Rovers, on this occassion Rovers in the form of Max Rethman took the honours. Josh White had an excellent ride followed shortly after by William Morrison after a cracking ride. Isabella Djuve-Wood was first Rovers girl home closely followed by Lizzie Welstead. Chloe Ollet, James Morrison, Daisy Emerson and William Smith were both battling through the course and finished within seconds of each.
I had the miss fortune to miss the Lee Valley Hoggenberg Cross, but by all accounts quiet a slow course due to the amazing amount of rain that fell in the two hours previous before racing started. Mind you conditions could have been worse, thunder, lightening...................... Well no one got struck by lightening although there was a few falls. Still a few hardy soles turned out and this was led by young Jack Emerson in the under 12's who finished a very credible 7th in wet soggy conditions. Jodie Taylor battled it out to come home 3rd girl. in the under 10's it was CC Ashwell taking the top spots with Max Rethman finishing in fourth place.
The very next day we hoped over to Chelmsford for the fourth round held at Springfield by Chelmsford CC. Again the course was still slightly water logged, the steps especially were slippery and care had to be taken by all riders when lifting the bike onto their shoulders. even before racing had started riders were going over. In the Junior race James Jackson was back on the course and racing strong finishing a very credible 17th, once again leading home many experienced riders. In the Youth race once again Cam Hurst lead the way with a fantastic top ten finish followed shortly after by a stron ride from Rob Mercer. Oli Partner and Dex Mansel Thomas were fighting it out finishing just 4 seconds apart, me think we are going to have to get a can opener at some point to separate these two!!!! These two were followed shortly by Silas Warren was battling through the field in his first race this season. in the under 12's race once again Dan Hall was again in the thick of it with the leading group eventually finishing in 6th place. As always Jack Emerson was not far behind followed hotly by Jack Letch, unlike the week before they were missing their third Muskateer, but Theo Warren and Tom Carson were both auditioning for the position. Zoe Swainston, Jodie Taylor and Amelia Hopper were all on the podium for first, second and third with Evie Stepney taking fourth, clean sweep there for the girls then. In the under 10's race once again it was Ashwell CC vs CRCC with CC Ashwell once again taking top spots with Max Rethman taking third. Josh White once again having a st orming ride and coming in 6th followed by young Bradley Taylor , William Morrison and James Morrison. Little Daisy Emerson in her first season also found herself on the podium being second girl home, probably biggest smile of the day.
Well what can I say other than, well done really. Keep going all of you and hope to see you all at training and ALL of you at Welwyn Cross on the 11th October.
Junior League Table
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