Lichfield’s Friary Grange Leisure Centre pulled of a first yet again as it held the first ever Wattbike Racing League for Youth riders. A field of 12 riders had entered the inaugural event using the revolutionary Wattbikes, as used by Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and other members of the GB Olympic Cycling Team.
The entrants had all been split into 2 groups and would take it in turn to contest the 5 races for each group. The initial event of the evening was a 500m Time trial, equivalent to 2 laps of a velodrome, the all out effort was however not a gentle introduction to the evenings races. Group 1 winner was Sophie Capewell of Lichfield CCC in a time of 38.37secs; Sam Birchall from Lyme RC won Group 2 in 35.15secs.
Lichfield Wattbike Youth League
The next event was a Win and Out. In this event the first rider to reach 200m wins the race overall, but then the race is restarted to determine 2nd place over a second 200m distance. The same is repeated for 3rd place so that 3 riders are then left in the race and they race over 300m to determine 4th, 5th and 6th places. In Group 1 Sophie Capewell won again with Paige Millward of Lyme RC in second and Emily Capewell 3rd. Group 2 was won by Jacob Kelly of Lichfield CCC, Sam Birchall was 2nd and Hannah Tonks finished in 3rd.
A short respite led riders into the 500m Team Sprint with riders paired up, in order to race 250metres each and their cumulative time used to determine finish positions. The winners from Group 1 were Emily Capewell and Paige Millward with Jacob Kelly and Jenny Halling taking the honours in Group 2.
The Reset Points was contested over three 400m sprints followed by a final race over 800m. Riders down to 3rd place for each sprint scored points in order to determine the overall winner for the race. Paige Milward emerged victorious in Group 1 with Sophie Capewell 2nd and Isabelle Clarke in 3rd place. A close race in group 2 saw Sam Birchall take the honours followed by Jacob Kelly and then Hannah Tonks.
The final event of the evening was a 500m handicap time trial. In this event riders were set off at intervals dependant on their time from the evening’s first race. Sophie Capewell proved to be the on form rider and took first place, followed by Paige and then Georgia Tonks in Group 1. Group 2’s thrilling race saw Jacob Kelly win with Birchall in 2nd and Hannah Tonks in 3rd place.
The overall group placing for the league means that in Group 1 Sophie Capewell leads followed by Paige Millward and then Emily Capewell. Group 2 is led by Jacob Kelly, then Sam Birchall with Hannah Tonks in 3rd place.
The next event takes place on Tuesday 27th January at the Friary Leisure Centre. For more information please contact Phil Kelly at the leisure centre on 01543 308842 or Nigel Capewell on 07768 560 932. Details and entry forms are also available on www.lichfieldyouthcycling.co.uk
This is also featured on the British Cycling site.
