North West Youth Tour (Categories B, C and D)

[alanflynn]

Day 1 -Uclan sport centre Preston
Day 1 was split into a short and long race for all categories. Representing ERC were Anna Flynn ( youth D), Sean Flynn, Robert Fernie, Emma Forsyth and Eva Barnett (all youth C), Calum Fernie, Matthias Barnett, John McLeod and Eleanor Strathdee (all youth B). Despite the dry weather and fairly good conditions the day's racing was interrupted a number of times because of accidents but thankfully the ERC riders managed to avoid anything serious. For many riders new to National series events day 1 in particular was about experience and adjusting to the speed and congestion of the bunch. With the Preston course lending itself more to a sprint finish riders were focused on sticking with the pack. Matthias and Sean were both prominent at various stages of their respective races, notably trying to push the pace. Callum did well to stay with the bunch in the B races, unfortunately coming down in the 2nd race with less than 5 laps to go. Best results of the day were for Sean  who managed sixth in both races to pick up 2 bonus seconds and hold (unsurprisingly) sixth place over night. Anna hung in for third girl in the D races. Special mention to Eleanor who suffered a chain problem at the start of the second race and was not allowed a lap out, despite this appearing to be the norm for some other riders. The combined girls A and B races were noted by the commentators as the most competitive with the Dutch team setting a very high pace, so any disadvantage made it even hard






er to stay with the pack.

Day 2 -  Salt Ayre Lancaster
The weather turned for day 2 with persistent rain only easing off late in the afternoon, so parents and helpers had a busy day keeping riders warm and dry between events. Lessons learnt from Day 1 were obvious to see with a number of riders working hard from the outset to stay with the lead group, best example being the B boys with Matthias, Calum and John all finishing with or just off the main bunch in both races. Matthias managed an excellent 8th in the morning race to take him to 9th overall with consistent performances telling, also evident from Sean with a third 6th in the morning race and then a good sprint finish to claim fourth in the afternoon to remain 6th again overnight, both again pushing the pace up front. In the C race teamwork was evident with Robert and Eva working a mini-Erc train to get them through the tough conditions. In the D race Anna managed to hold the lead group to finish second girl in both races and hold 3rd girl overnight.  

Day 3 - Blackpool
The sun returned on Day 3 and with it a stiff breeze so lots to play for on a Blackpool course better suited to a breakaway. First up was the A and B girls where the pace was furious from the start with the sharp corner at the top of the hill stringing the field out all over the course. Text book team riding from the Dutch team saw a 16 second deficit clawed back to a 30 second winning margin with the team controlling the pack while one of their team members rode off for victory. Great experience for all the riders to see that played out. In the D race Anna managed second girl again but had too much of a deficit to chase to move to second overall. In the C race Sean rode off the front after a lap to build up a useful gap which was eventually pulled back. With only 9 seconds separating  6th and 2nd no one gave any quarter and unfortunately Sean was nudged against the wall of the climb on the last lap and came down. He managed to complete the course and keep the time of the pack to retain 6th overall. Emma had a strong ride also, obviously liking the variety of the Blackpool course. The B boys race also saw a breakaway win but Matthias finished strongly in the pack to hold 9th overall, a great result in a really competitive category.

Overall a successful trip and a great experience for all the riders with good team spirit shown during the races and each evening in the hotel; plenty of spirit also shown by the parents in the bar!

A few phrases commonly heard from the racing bunch
Hold your line
Do some work will ye
On your left, I mean right!
Get back on his wheel
I'm in my highest gear!

...and from the sidelines
Change gear
Use your gears!
Move up
Stick on a wheel
Get back on (a wheel)
Try and get a wheel
Push it!
Hurry up!
Don't do all the work
Go for it!
Stop crying?
WELL DONE!!

[Whitson]

That just a about describes a day at the races, great report Alan.
A big well done to those competing too, some very good results particularly with the level and intensity of the competition.
Great stuff
Ken