//Race Report: DOVER
East Kent CX Round 2, hosted at the very impressive Duke Of York Military school in Dover.
Clear skies and sunshine on the journey down had us looking forward to a day of racing. However, the biting cold wind that greeted us all quickly reigned in the enthusiasm. Spectators gathered at a banked hairpin bend just before the finish straight - the Corner of Doom (CoD) expecting action, with camera phones at the ready.
UNDER 8s, UNDER 10s and UNDER 12s
U12s, 10s and 8s race together in this league. Kien's recent form had him on the front of the grid. Four Green Machine riders spanning the age groups were involved - and all got off to a lively start.
Kien's decision to go short sleeved and shorts was bold, as even Lola's Celtic heritage didn't stop her covering up all over! Whether it was the temperature or the fall Kien had at the CoD on the practice lap, he wasn't his usual livewire self, but gamely fought on anyway with true green machine spirit. 5th on the day in his category.
Elias showed he was settling well on his larger bike, taking the CoD on the bike and staying on it. Clearly, Coach James' banked cornering practice the day before had been worthwhile. 6th on the day with second year under 10s ahead of him was a good return.
Lola was in the enviable position of just needing to complete the race to finish top of her Cat, with no other U8 girls showing up. With this in mind, and the fact she missed James' Saturday cornering masterclass thanks to her best friend/boyfriend's birthday party, she opted to dismount and run the CoD. It did, however, give her a chance to perform her favored flying mount in front of a large audience. 1st on the day and ahead of some U8 and U10 boys.
“Tejus battled hard and as the other rider dismounted going into the hairpin saw his chance, entered wide, then powered into the uphill just as taught the previous day.”
“Spectators gathered at the Corner of Doom with camera phones at the ready.”
Last up in the junior race, but definitely not least, Tejus. After a good start, he found himself in a great battle with an U12 rider from Wigmore CC, who decided to sit on Tejus wheel for most of the last lap, much to our hero's annoyance!
To make it worse, Wigmore then pulled ahead on the long drag up to the CoD and tried to drop him. However, Tejus battled hard to stay in contention and as the other rider dismounted going into the hairpin he saw his chance, entered the CoD wide, then powered into the uphill just as James had taught the previous day. A bike length ahead, but still frantically trying to remount, the game was up for the Wigmore rider as Tejus stormed past to take the flag. 4th in his Cat on the day, but taking an U12 scalp on the way. Chapeau!
Rytis was the final Green machine rider of the day in the youth race and zoomed past multiple riders at the start after some tough gridding, but suffered the same fate as Kien with temperatures affecting him as the race wore on. 5th in his Cat on the day.
Well done to all riders for taking part. A long old journey and in very cold conditions, just completing the course is an achievement and more valuable experience in the bank.