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Youth Academy bikers raced alongside adult riders – including Commonwealth Games and British Elite Mountain biker Rhys Hidrio and grand veteran rider Bruce Dingle – in the JCAYA mountain bike series last Sunday.
U14, U16 and U18 age groups had the unique opportunity to race around the Island Games course on Jubilee Hill against Commonwealth Games cyclists in the morning event organised by Caesarean Cycling Club, highlighting the potential to achieve success in the sport.
Chairman of JCAYA, Ashley Hillier commented: “As graduates from the JCAYA it’s tremendous to see riders like Ollie Lowthorpe and Jack Rebours being selected to ride for Jersey in the Commonwealth Games, and Rhys Pilley in the Youth Commonwealth Games. It is a real inspiration for our younger riders as well as our coaching team who can see what hard work, dedication and focus can achieve.”
But the race didn’t just inspire the younger riders, the skills they showed on the day impressed the President of Caesarean Cycling Club, James Patterson. He said: “They take the harder, faster route on some of the sections of the adult’s course, first time and without any fear. It’s very impressive.”
Successful island cyclist, Rhys Hidrio, has noticed a change within the home-grown talent in recent years and is optimistic for the future generation that will go on to represent the Island: “In comparison now to four or five years ago, riders are definitely better technically, they’re fitter and more willing to give it a go, so their skillset is quickly developing, which goes on to making them stronger, faster riders” he said.
Hidrio won, by lapping the entire field, the Adult Elite rider category, which raced for ninety minutes over the 2.89km course. The bikers average speed was 17kph with lap times of approximately 10 minutes.
By comparison the U14’s, four-lap race, produced average speeds of 14kph and lap times of 12 minutes 30. This made them competitive amongst the male veteran riders during their six-lap race. The Under 14 race was convincingly won by Charlie Hart, with Liam Cadoret in second and Tom Huelin third.
Malo Mon Petit Le Brun and Zach Hamon in the U16 category both had strong races and completed their five-lap race amongst the top ten riders of the field.
In the Under 18 ladies’ category Emily Bridson was back on Jersey soil after her previous weekends 9th junior position at the National Cyclocross event, narrowly missing out at a sprint finish to what would have been her first UCI ranking points. 34 seconds behind Emily was Island Games rider Indi Malzard. The U18 Male category had three riders, Elliot Stead, Jack Rive and Jay Liron, placing 11th, 13th and 19th respectively, out of an overall field of 28 riders.
49 cyclists aged between five and 14-years-old also had the opportunity to have a go on a modified course from the morning’s adult race. The JCAYA are keen for cyclists of all abilities to learn new skills, achieve goals and have fun. The next race is at Mont Rossignol on Sunday 4 February.
Top Picture: Under 14 riders (left to right) Charlie Hart, Liam Cadoret, Sam Nisbet, Tom Huelin
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