//Race report: LEC Winter series round 1
Round 1 of Limited Edition’s Winter Series, was held at a club favourite, Elmstead Woods Primary School.
The venue has hosted several Go Rides in the past, but Coach Jay had a surprise in store, with a new take on his tricky Cyclo-Cross circuit. A longer lap, and with an even more testing technical section than previous incarnations. There was a surprise for the supporters and parents too. A refreshments stand, with tea, coffee and home baked cakes! Further proof that the popularity of the now annual series is going from strength to strength.
Under 6
Louis Lochee-Bayne from Brixton BMX started off the 1st round of LEC's Winter Series with a blistering performance. The U6 race had a smaller circuit but still included the tricky off camber section and short climbs, however Louis was able to ride every section without dismounting which gave him a huge advantage and lead; a deserved winner in the end. The remainder of the boys race, including a couple from LEC, (Leo and Ethan) found the technical sections a bit more challenging, but that didn't deter them from finishing. While they may have dismounted for the uphills, plenty of them were happy to tackle the steep down hill on their bikes.
In the girls U6 it was a family battle between Elin and Alys Howell-Brook. Both rode together for the majority of the race, and showed great spirit on the challenging climbs given how little their bikes (and legs) were! Elin just pipped her sister for bragging rights.
under 8
As has so often been the case this year at Go Ride level, U8's saw the LEC duo of Kasper Rackley and Lola Stewart face off. Despite being good friends off the bike, and their results recorded in different categories (Male/Female) when they get on a course together it's survival of the fittest! Both went flying out from the start, closely followed by a familiar foe from the regional races, Sebastian Thevenot from Southborough. While it remained close for the first few laps, Kasper got ahead and with Coach Tom's voice ringing in his ears, and he didn't look back. One of his best performances of late, he finished with a sizeable lead. Lola instead had to focus on Sebastian, who was swarming all over her as the race wore on. Just as it looked like the Southborough rider would try and pass her on the final lap, the pressure told - he caught the tape in the technical section and went down. Off rode Lola with a sigh of relief for 2nd overall and 1st of the girls!
Just behind them, another friends-off-the-course-rivals-on-it partnership were racing. Enyo Rackley and Olive Connor. Enyo took the spoils this time, making it a top days work from the Rackley household.
The U8's also saw other LEC riders in action, with young Charlie looking like he was loving his new bike, and also showing some great remounting skills (One of our favourite things to coach at LEC!) Finn and Eliza, were taking part in their first ever race with Finn taking 3rd in the boys race, and Eliza just missing out on the podium but finishing with a huge smile suggesting it will definitely not be the last time we see her race at Go-Ride level!
“Enyo took the spoils this time, making it a top days work from the Rackley household.”
under 10
With the lapcount suggesting this might be the longest U10 race some of the competitors had ever faced, LEC coach and start marshall Flic warned the riders of the importance of pacing themselves. As the start whistle blew, it wasn't immediately apparent that anyone had listened as they tore off down the start straight. Kien Chu's trademark is a fast start, and off he went. Would he be able to hold such a pace for so long?
Behind him Arthur Crawford gave chase with a trio of LEC riders - Daniel Furlong, Tejus S-P and Elias Petruskevicius. Another regular regional cyclocross racer, Sonny Jenns tried to stay with this lead group but came down hard after a few laps and couldn't recover in time to stay at the pointy end of the race. As the race slogged on, first year U10 Elias dropped from the lead group after gamely hanging on for most of the marathon. Tejus tried to stick with Arthur Crawford as Kien disappeared into an unassailable lead. Daniel meanwhile was not too far behind in 4th but keeping a consistent pace. Had he listened to Coach Flic's pacing advice...?
Only two girls took to the startline, one of them Victoria De Beule from LEC the other Jessica Evens from Horsham YCC. Victoria rode with her head, possibly another who had taken on board Coach Flic's not so subtle pacing hint. Increasing her speed with each passing lap, Victoria took over with about a third of the race to go and never looked back for a very well-taken win!
Back in the boys race, Daniel made his move with two laps to go, passing teammate Tejus, then Arthur, looking comfortable as he did so. Could he catch Kien? The gap was certainly closing, but Kien's livewire start had given Daniel too much to do. Two very different approaches, but a great LEC 1-2 for Kien and Daniel.
A special mention to Sonny Jenns, who managed to get back on after his injury and ride the final laps to ensure that he recorded some points in the series.
under 12
Sadly no girls in this category, so it was left solely on the shoulders of the boys to entertain. They didn’t disappoint!
This race started with an almost immediate split, as three riders - Taylor from Barking & Dagenham CC, Jake from Woolwich and Jude Tippins from Wigmore - all chasing LEC rider Floyd Connor who exploded off the start line. The rest of the field could only watch this lead group disappear into the distance. As halfway approached the leaders were stretching out, led by Taylor from B&D, then Jake from Woolwich with Floyd trying hard to keep Jake within sight. Jude was slipping back in 4th when a dropped chain ended all hopes for him of a podium.
The Barking rider in front started to show his class and push further ahead but behind him 2nd place wasn't yet decided. With a couple of laps to go, disaster struck for Woolwich’s Jake who came down in the technical section. Floyd's hard work at trying to keep close enough paid off, as he was able to pass before Jake remounted. Shortly after, Jake came down again, taking too many risks in an effort to reclaim his 2nd spot from the LEC rider. Sensing glory, Floyd put everything into his final lap including several anxious looks behind. As Taylor Green took 1st place, all eyes were behind as Jake crept closer and closer to Floyd's back wheel, and they took the final corner almost together. Floyd gave the home crowd what they wanted and held on for 2nd by the skin of his teeth! A cracking effort by both riders.
LEC also had 2 recent joiners racing, in Euan Williams and Dylan Haggerty. Both of them made their racing debut in November’s mud fest at Herne Hill, and that somehow didn’t put them off! Good to see them putting in a solid effort on a more compact surface.
“Both of them made their racing debut in November’s mud fest at Herne Hill, and that somehow didn’t put them off!”
under 14
No home rider in this category for the boys, but 4T’s Riley Mahoney was last year’s LEC male Rider of the Year at the prestigious LEC End of Year Awards before his big-money move, so the crowd adopted him as their favourite. Not wanting to disappoint, he tore off ahead of a trio of Southborough riders and that was pretty much that! Maybe aware that he still had to entertain, he turned on the afterburners on his final lap to leave us wondering if he’d sneaked an e-bike into the competition!
In the girls category, another ex-LEC rider, Ana Mason now of VCL was up against Edie Wright. Ana took a lead and was sticking with some of the boys race for a few laps. Edie’s infamous and noisy fan club weren’t put off though, and were as vocal as ever. A few laps later, Ana had an unfortunate injury, possibly a muscle pull, which ended her race. A sad end for her, but Edie’s perserverance and never say die attitude were rewarded as she instead took 1st place. Another example in a day littered with them, of why you never quit... anything can happen in Cross!
Under 16
Only one entrant in this cat, and he was a home rider. Rytis Petruskevicius. He’s had some rotten luck with mechanicals and injuries in the past couple of months, but he keeps coming back for more which is why we love him.
Needless to say, he took home the spoils!
Next up - Round 2
It’s goodbye to cyclocross and hello road for round 2 which is hosted at Gravesend Cyclopark. After round 1, it’s got a lot to live up to, but we’re confident the Green Machine can deliver another fine day of racing. Do join us!
