Hackney back on top after day of high drama at the London Youth Games

The Hackney London Youth Games team for 2015

 Saturday started off with high drama and continued that way all day long. Woken up by thunder and lightning my heart sank as this usually means the organisers of the London Youth Games will shorten the circuit to a hill climb making for a tedious day for all. On getting down to Crystal Palace at 8am this seemed pretty much on the cards as the bottom two corners of the circuit were like off camber ice rinks. Soon enough lots of riders out warming up on the course were coming to grief and the start was put back to see if the sun could burn off the moisture. Then either by design or accident our own Connor Dash struck a pedal right in front of the medics and stayed down. This led to further delays whilst we waited for an ambulance and then another as the first ambulance was the wrong kind?

Connor's new helmet

Off went Connor with his dad in the ambulance and the due to some serious broom work the full course  was open for racing. The morning event is the Youth A/B time trial of four laps round the tight circuit.

Logan being cheered on by the team whilst Keir offers some coaching points

 First up representing Hackney was Logan who whilst taking those bottom corners gingerly set a fast time of 8mins 8 seconds.

Andy working the lap board - would it be number 1 later?

Logan and those rainbow socks.

It was good start and the sun was doing its bit as were the Hackney support - probably the most vocal borough on the day.

Hackney support

Next up was Isaac Costley and he too was flying finishing at 8min10 secs - we were starting to get excited about our chances.

Isaac setting off

Isaac  on his sprint to the line

The rules for each of the time trials - U16 & U14 - state that you must field four riders with at least one of them being female - the top three times count - again one of these times must be set by a female rider.

So next up representing Hackney was Charlie Dash - as a first year B rider she was ceding three years to some of the other female competitors - would she rise to the challenge? Would she be affected by her brother going off to hospital?

Keir, Connie and Jess give Charlie some last minute encouragement under that umbrella

Charlie sets off

 Charlie rose to the occasion setting a respectable time of 10.18. Last to go for Hackney in the Youth section was Sam Bardill who rode a very good 8.50 time.

Sam in the start area

Sam giving it his all

When the results all came in - along with Connor back from the hospital - Hackney were in second place behind Southwark by a mere 4 points.

The silver medalists in the Youth AB category - Charlie, Sam, Isaac and Logan.

The riders were presented with their silver medals with Logan being 5th fastest, Isaac 7th, Sam 17th and Charlie 9th fastest girl. CCH rider Connie Hayes, riding for Redbridge borough came third in the girls and got an individual bronze. CCH rider Edward Szigety riding for Waltham Forest came 25th.

Anoushka warming up? in the shade?

Hackney were now in a good position could our yonger riders use the heat of the afternoon sun to their advantage?

Anoushka pushing hard

First off was relative newcomer Anoushka Minale. At 10 years old again she was ceding a couple of years experience to the other girls in her category. She rode the two lap course in avery good 5 mins and 3 seconds.

William starting his 2 laps

 William Green was up next coming in at 5mins exactly. Would this be enough to get us on the podium?

William on his way

 Tom Bardill rode in the third slot setting a very good time of 4.38 - now we were cooking with gas.

Tom setting off

Tom putting a storming effort

Mack

Mack getting going

 Final rider in the Junior category Mack Mooney got his race face on and went for it - setting 4mins 43 seconds. How did they do? We didn't know the computer screen wasn't saying and the long delays meant they had to push on with the two circuit races or they wouldn't happen.

Frank at the sharp end in the boys crit.

 Frank Moore rode for Hackney in the boys race. The riders went off hard with a lead bunch quickly pulling away. After a few laps the pace eased off and some cat and mouse tactics ensued with Frank showing on the front. As it came to the last three laps the pace went up again and the field strung out more. However Frank kept right in there and claimed a well deserved third spot in the final sprint. That overall podium spot was beginning to look a distinct possibility.

Jess leading the girls crit.

Jess Feeeney Davies represented Hackney in the final event - the girls crit. Two other CCH riders were also in it Connie Hayes for Redbridge and Jess Martin for Waltham Forest. Again the pace was fast from the off and a leading group of eight riders quickly established itself with Jess and Connie right in there. In a very hard fought battle Jess F came fifth for Hackney with Connie just behind in 6th and Jess M in 9th. Would this be enough to reclaim the title?

William, Mack, Tom and Anoushka with their silver medals for the CDE TT.

A nervous wait ensued whilst the results were being checked. first they announced the Junior TT results and they had came second! This meant we definitely had some sort of podium spot for the overall. Tom had finished in 5th, Mack 10th, Anoushka 5th girl and William 27th.

Frank with his bronze for the boys circuit race.

 Next the medals were given out for the circuit races. And finally the overall results - Kingston third with 122 points, Southwark - 2nd with 131 points - surely we weren't fourth?

First place - the London Borough of Hackney on 133 points. Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss
The team rightly milked their celebrations... Congratulations and thanks to the riders on the day, the reserve riders for their support, all the riders who took part in the trials for ensuring the best team rode on the day and the coaches, volunteers and parents who got them to this point.

The London Youth Games 2015 overall Cycling winners - London Borough of Hackney

The cup was coming back to Hackney after a four year absence and the plans that were put in motion back in 2009 were beginning to come to fruition. All these riders from age 10 -16 had been introduced to cycle sport either through the Hackney Primary Schools League or through the CCH grass track leagues. Our aim was and is to build for the future, to encourage participation in cycling at all levels, to make Hackney and London the centre for cycling - oh and to win the cup again next year .....

Winners medal

Charlie and Jess show off their medals.

Logan and Frank with the Eileen Grey trophy.