//RACE REPORT: SPRING IN THE PARK 2023 #06
// With this the final points scoring night in the series, all was to play for!
Under 8s
Lola, Kasper and Elias were first off in the U8’s. Despite a lightning start, Elias crashed early on and sadly didn’t finish the race. Arm in a sling, Elias reverted to core Green Machine supporting duties. (We’re happy to report he was back training the following day!)
Lola and Kasper were involved in a ding dong battle, lap after lap Kasper was closing the gap but it was the Pocket Rocket who held on to take the line first.
Under 10s
Tejus, Kien and Lucas took to the start line in the U10’s. Lucas was off to a flier and quickly settled in the lead group. Kien set off well and settled in group two but Tejus missed his pedal on the start line and was off to a slow start while and had to burn vital energy just to get back to the riders in front.
As the race went on, Lucas was growing in confidence and even leading the group up under the bridge. Tejus was firmly locked onto Kien’s wheel, reeling him lap after lap. The last lap saw a surge from the leaders which caught Lucas off guard. Not able to catch, Lucas rolled over the line at the back of the lead group. Kien put in a final kick under the bridge which broke the elastic to Tejus to come home next in green.
Under 12s
Edie and Riley were next up in the U12’s.
Riley was racing for the overall title and a result of third or above would seal the title. The coach’s plan was for Riley to keep his rival in check for the race ad secure the overall. On lap one Riley ditched the plan and dropped a watt bomb on the climb to lay out his intent to the rest of the field. Covering a few attacks and then immediately countering, Riley seemed full of confidence. On the bell lap everyone waited with baited breath to see which riders would hit the home straight first. Into sight shot the bright yellow helmet of Riley who had opened up his sprint early, powering up to the line Riley never looked like being beaten. He took the overall win!
Edie had been tasked with mixing it up on the night and she duly accepted the task. Her competitor was on the receiving end of repeated attacks — uphill, downhill, on the flat, there was no hiding place. Edie’s growing confidence and steady improvement over the duration of the series was easy to spot. Releasing the badger one final time, her poor rival was put to the sword.
Under 14s
In the last race of the night one of the club’s most improved riders featured. Young Ana has been quietly plugging away throughout the series. From nearly pulling out of the first race to powering around a super strong national field in the last, Ana really is reaping the rewards of her efforts. Wednesday night TDC’s, Hill reps in Greenwich Park and Tuesday night ten mile TT’s at Lee Valley Velopark have seen Ana go from strength to strength.
On the night Ana rode with composure to bring a close to a great SITP season.
