Held in the usual Victoria Park. It was another successful event. A big thanks to the organisers and all the members that helped out and came to support. Young Olivia Laing was our only entrant this year and below is a report from her dad Neil. The A (u16) and B (u14) girls race together in this league which can make it a little tricky for Olivia, who is still only 12. Not the greatest starter, she was last into the first corner, which was an insurmountable gap to the fastest starters down the long straight.
After a few laps, Olivia and Harriet (Clifton CC) realised they were stronger than the rest of their group and rode away. This meant a leading quartet (2xA and 2xB riders) being pursued by 2 younger B riders.
Olivia then dropped her companion 15mins into this 50 minute race and rode on with gusto, supported by the numerous club members and friends cheering her on. There was a little worry as the leading quartet caught the lapped riders and started pulling them back towards Olivia, but fortunately an injection of pace from the leaders saw the lapped bunch lose contact again.
When Olivia was lapped, she was able to hang onto the leaders for 6 laps, before drifting back in the closing laps. Sitting on this group really gave Olivia a great understanding of the benefits of the draft and something definitely clicked in her head. She lapped girls who had lapped her in every event in 2024, which has done her confidence the world of good. 3rd B (u14) and 5th overall in her home race.
Olivia was also out racing on the following Sunday. Sunday saw round three at Tameside. Another sunny but blowy day. Having had the light bulb moment on Saturday Olivia sprinted hard to chase the fast starting strong riders. She worked with the leading A rider and two other B riders for the first four laps before one B dropped off the pace. Olivia continued to work with the lead A rider and the other B to lap everyone else in the field. 2nd B (u14) and third overall. Her best race yet.
