Cycling

Last updated 15:56, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

LAST Wednesday, the 2008 season at Rowrah Karting Stadium got off to a lucky start when the evening’s racing finished moments before a torrential downpour struck.

Twenty-five riders ignored the heavy showers earlier in the afternoon and turned up to enjoy a great evening down at the Rowrah track.

Whilst Don Morrison (club youth coach) and Gerry McCarten (club president) ran the young cyclists through their paces on the specially designed skills challenge, riders took turns to ride the 500m and 1km time trial courses.

In Division Four (500m), Ruth Atkinson, the youngest rider by far and making her debut appearance, put in a very creditable 7,30.

Harry Lamb made a welcome return to the track and managed an excellent 4,36, just ahead of Harvey Canning who made his comeback to the track with 3,39.

The top two places however were separated by only three seconds as Maddy Smith (2,55) just missed out to a storming performance by Jack McDonagh, who took the top place with a time of 2,52.

Georgia Canning took pole place in Division Three (500m) with her time of 1,36, closely followed by Scott Glaister at 1,41, ahead of Ruth Jennings (1,59) and Matthew Atkinson (2,07).

Robert Atkinson, making his first appearance for nearly a year, took first place in Division Two (1km) with a time of 3,05, just five seconds ahead of Tom Smith (3,10).

Daniel Rooney completed the trio of Division Three riders on the night with a time of 3,33.

The 11 riders who turned up to ride the Division One events were joined by club president Gerry McCarten, who treated them to a bravura performance in the 1km time trial, recording 2,01 and showing that age is no barrier to excellent performance in cycling.

The best of the younger riders was Patrick Cowman (2,26), followed by William Hughes (2,32) and, in joint third place, Jason Jenkinson and Alex Hargreaves, both on 2,33. Alice Rae was first girl home in 2,37, whilst Sam Heywood and Thomas Lennox shared next placing with 2,46. Hugh Guise was only seven seconds behind this pair with his time of 2,53, and just three seconds ahead of newcomer George Bennett, who returned a very respectable 2,56 at his first appearance.

Stephen Gascoigne, in his first appearance in Division One, came home in three minutes exactly, just beating Kristian Cook on 3,04.

Following the 1km time trial, the Division One riders took part in a human-powered Keirin race. Normally this involves the riders following a small motorbike for several laps until the bike peels off and the riders then race over two or three laps for the finish line. This week, Penny Kingsland took the role of human powered bike, pulling off and leaving the riders with two laps of the track to decide the winner.

The top five places (after 2.5km) were: 1st Alex Hargreaves; 2nd William Hughes; 3rd Jason Jenkinson; 4th Patrick Cowman and 5th Sam Heyworth.

Youth cycling at Rowrah runs every Wednesday evening at Rowrah Karting Stadium until September 3. Division Two, Three and Four riders take part between 6pm and 7pm and Division One riders compete from 7pm onwards.

Contact Don Morrison (01946 830956), Penny Kingsland (01946 861456) or Tim Houghton (01946 821585) for more information.