//NEWS: SPRING IN THE PARK SEASON REVIEW
// For the first time in the clubs history we launched a Spring in the Park Race Team!
In return for committing to race in the minimum number of races required for a league standing, members of the race team would have their race entry fees refunded by the club.
The race team was advertised to all juniors at the club. Elias, Kaspar, Lola, Tejus, Lucas, Riley and Edie were committed from the outset but as the series rolled on, Victoria, Kien and Ana joined the fold.
Each race day the squad were all based under our very noticeable gazebo, our riders all supported one another while they raced and they obviously made the most noise! Other than club 4T Cyclopark, who are based at the venue, LEC had the biggest contingent of riders — an amazing achievement at a regional race series. Parents from other clubs were often heard referring to the ‘Green machine’ or cheering ‘Go Green Machine’ as our riders were racing.
Tejus: A mixed season from Tejus who demonstrated raw power in abundance but a need to refine technical skills, such as gears use to realise his potential. Always a good approach to the races, a great team mate and races with his heart on his sleeve. Initially locked in battles with Lucas early on in the series, battles with Kien were a feature towards the end of the series. 10th overall.
Kien: Missed Round One but then became a regular feature on race days. On the smallest bike in his age group for most of the series, instant improvement came with an upgrade in his wheels! Saved his best for the last race where he was involved in a back and forth battle with Tejus in which he finally got the better of his club mate. Defiantly going to have an improved Cross season. 13th overall.
Edie: What a season from Edie. Low on confidence at the start of the series, Edie’s lack of belief was hampering her reaching her potential. As the weeks went on, the focused coaching was paying off. Edie’s confidence grew, as did her fitness, the technical improvement was evident and all of this showed in the results. By week six, Edie was repeatedly attacking, sitting on wheels sheltering from the wind and winning the psychological battles against her rivals. All excellent preparation for the step up to youth age group racing and the start of National events! 5th overall.
Riley: The seasoned racer in the squad, Riley has been plying his SITP trade since 2019. After a broken arm scuppered last season, Riley had a score to settled. In arguably the largest and most competitive age group of the series, Riley was going to have to be at his best. Much like Edie, Riley overcome a lack of confidence to reach his full potential. Week One a steady third place settled the nerves and as the weeks went on, with the support of his team mates, the results just got better and better. In the last race Riley needed to have a podium finish but with confidence spilling from his LEC skinsuit, Riley controlled the race with some ferocious attacks and demonstrated a sprinting masterclass to win not just the race but the overall series. Looking good for the step up to youth age groups and nationals. 1st overall.
Ana: Lots to say about Ana… Despite being shy and appearing to lack confidence, Ana has demonstrated her willingness to learn and improve. In Ana’s first race she very nearly dropped out early on but with the encouragement of her team mates she soldiered on. This was a big turning point for Ana who has grew in strength and ability on a weekly basis. Her determination to improve has seen her take up extra training sessions at Cyclopark, take part in 10 mile time trials at Lee Valley Velopark and also hill reps in Greenwich Park! A promising winter season lies ahead. 2nd overall.
Victoria: Didn’t race the whole series but when she did… WOW. Lightning fast and easily holding her own against some of the top boys. 3rd overall.
Lola: We are running out of superlatives for the Pocket Rocket. Super committed, regularly attending Wednesday’s extra training, racing all over and present at all of the London Youth Games training sessions. At only six years of age Lola is setting a fine example to her club mates! 1st overall.
Kasper: New to racing, Kasper looks he loves it! This season Kasper’s development has seen a bike change and a transition to clip-in shoes, the latter mastered very quickly. Kasper races with a smile but certainly has a competitive edge which he has demonstrated in regular weekly battles with Lola. 6th overall.
Elias: Looks like he’s riding in Le Tour when he’s bobbing up and down out of the saddle. Elias has been super consistent all series whilst having weekly battles with the ‘Big Three’ of his age group. Closing the gap on a weekly basis, if Elias can carry this form into the Cross season it promises to be a prosperous one. A bad crash in the last race led to a DNF but showed the importance of doing all the rounds as his fifth place overall was not affected. 5th overall.
Lucas: Cracking season from Lucas who went from strength to strength. Clearly showing the ability to listen and implement what he was being coached to do, Lucas results got better as the weeks went on. Highlights were the final two weeks where Lucas began sticking with the front group, taking turns on the front and sheltering from the wind when required. Results on paper didn’t tell the full story as the difference between first and sixth was about a second. 8th overall.
