Mercia CC Lloyds Cycles Report 03.04.19

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Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles report 03.04.19.

 

A very hard winters training has paid big dividends for local Under 14 Youth rider Zak Machin. Riding for Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles he took part in Round 1 of the National Youth Circuit series of road races which took place at Pembrey near Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan The event draws the top riders from all over the UK and always features a strong contingent of riders from the Isle of Man. The first day consisted of a one lap time trial and a 50 minute road race with 60 riders competing. Finishing in 6^th & 7^th place respectively and taking a bonus time point in the prime he was well placed for the following days 70 minute road race with very little time splitting the top riders. A fast and exciting race on the Sunday saw Machin always in the leading bunch of riders, he crossed the line in 7^th place. To finish in a brilliant 6^th overall just seven seconds behind the winner Jed Smithson of Worx Factory Racing and only two seconds off third place. This result sets him up well for the seven remaining rounds.

Machin was in fine form again when racing in Round 1 of the Severn Valley Circuit Races at Shrewsbury. A very popular venue which always draws in large numbers of riders and close racing. With one lap to go Machin burst from the bunch of leading riders and raced into the lead which he held to the line for a fine first win of the season.

Mercias Under 12 riders always put in a good hard race and Daniel Ward finished in 3^rd place in the U12 category support race at the 1^st round of the National Cross Country Mountain Bike races held at Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire.

He switched disciplines the following weekend to take part in the first round of the Zipvit/Lichfield City CC Youth Circuit Races at Curborough nr Lichfield. Over the years these events have always proved popular and produced a number of top riders. A close race in the Under 12 category had first year riders Ward and team mate Sam Parker battling throughout in a close race. Ward finished in 5^th place with Parker in 9^th. Good results for both young riders. The winner was Max Hinds of Wyre Forest CRC.

Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles held the first club evening Time Trial of the year over 5 miles on the Anslow circuit. After a long spell of dry weather the riders were greeted with a wet day, the roads dried out in time for the start but conditions were still far from ideal with a bitterly cold wind and the temperature at only 3degrees, not at all ideal conditions for Time Trialling. Last season several riders had consistently close times and this trend looks to continue in the chase for trophies at the end of the year.

Twelve riders rode and the fastest was Jonathan Hornblow of Leisure Lakes with a creditable time of 12minutes 40 seconds. Next home was Born to Bike RT rider Sean Sleigh with 12:55 and David Clarke of Interbike with 13:14. The other riders, all representing Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles, were as follows. Mark Goodhead, 13:42. Rob Gower, 13:45. Ben Startin, 13:48. Jeff Slinn, 14:49. Keith Staley, 15:22. James Allen, 15:28. Liam Mewis, (Junior rider) 16:22. John Brewin, 17:30 and Adrian Waters 18:07.