//RACE REPORT: SITP 2023 #04

11 Jun

// Tweaks to the circuit at Cyclopark and a tighter, more technical lap led to a number of key match-ups this Saturday. As a result, we had ‘The Day of the Duels’ at Spring in the Park for Round Four.

Under 8s

In the Under 8s, Lola quickly despatched her rivals and set out to reel in Kasper. A game of cat and mouse ensued with the Pocket Rocket living up to her nickname on the back-straight and Kasper bossing it to the line each lap. Meanwhile, up the road Elias was showing off his technical prowess through the bends and found himself in his own shootout for the podium up against a pleasingly-retro Maindy Flyers jersey. Missing out by less than a second, Elias did our colours proud. Rounding the final bend, Kasper went full Cav to pip his teammate in the sprint. Nothing could keep a dominant Lola from top spot in the girls though, where she has a commanding lead overall. Elias’ fourth place puts him in second on the table with Kasper taking a brilliant sixth on the day and eighth this season so far.

Under 10s
Over to the boys in the Under 10s for the next showdown. Finding the course a little short compared to his recent Brighton efforts, Lucas settled in to a strong steady pace taking ninth on the day. Overall, he has opened a gap on his chasing Wigmore rider at the midpoint of the season. Tejus was unable to use his power on the climb this week and instead showed bravery ducking up the inside on the bends. Picking up points with tenth in a packed field, he sits just behind Maindy Flyers in the table with it all to play for. Kien was back for his second appearance this season. Without his chief cheerleader and in a tough age group he battled well, showcasing the LEC spirit. Overall Kien has a great chance to rise up the table in the remaining races.

Under 12s
Our day finished with a thriller in the Under 12s. This season has seen Edie locked in a battle with a boy from Wigmore. Taking a two-one lead into this one, Edie marked him carefully but with no climb of note couldn’t make a jump. It came down to another sprint and this time she lost out to finish fifth, consolidating her fifth place overall. (Two all, see you Friday.) At the front of the field, Riley was showing his experience to both drive the pack and tuck in to conserve energy. Playing to the crowd, the pace ramped up lap after lap building the tension before the LEC poster boy gave us a Hollywood ending. Riley went full gas on the finish from a pack of four punchy riders leaving them to battle for second, dominating the sprint to cheers from the assembled Green Machine fans. First place glory for Riley and a result which puts him top of the league.

Not long to wait for the next instalment of the SITP drama with the next race set for a sunny Friday night in Gravesend, where else would you rather be?