SPORT: Young riders battle through mud in Mountain Bike Series

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Fifty competitors raced in tricky, muddy conditions at Vautier's Farm in St John this weekend as part of Jersey Cycling Association Youth Academy (JCAYA) Winter Mountain Bike Series.

Riders as young as six and under were the first to tackle the muddy course on Sunday, which grew significantly more slippery throughout the morning, leading to many slides and spills in the last race.

Ali Hart, JCAYA Media Secretary, described the action:

"Eight riders Under Six riders took to the start first with Sienna Raimondo speeding off rapidly with Eden Hannah and Sonny Evans in hot pursuit. The order remain unchanged and the trio crossed the finish line as they had set off. 

"Next up were the Under Eight. 10 of them tackled a longer loop which took them around a lake on the farm. Marley Raimondo flew off the start line, like his sister Sienna, navigating the course with ease. Hugo Nowacki and Gabu Boxhall battled hard throughout the race to cross first and second respectively. Amber Mauger, first girl, showed determination to continue the race despite having a couple of mechanicals as the mud took its toll on her gears. Newcomer, Alexander Chapman took fifth spot showing what organisers have described as excellent bike-handling skills. 

"The Under 10’s had to show excellent concentration as the course was getting ever slipperier. Jacob Mauger managed to make light work of the thick mud to get a fast start and continued to increase his lead on every lap. All 11 riders fought it out on the ensuing laps with Gabriel Raimondo and Harry Cutting coming on top behind Jacob. Evie Worth was the first girl of the group, having worked hard to maintain her lead on the other girls. Emma Mawanga came second and Bethan Read, who was grinning throughout the race, in third.

Pictured: Libby Atkinson.

"The Under 12 and 14 girls raced next. Emily Le Gros got an early lead ahead of Libby Hart and Libby Atkinson, recording the fastest lap of the age group by more than ten seconds. Atkinson looked focused and her "steely determination" paid off as she finally took the lead on the fourth lap, creating a gap to take line honors after seven laps.

"With the course becoming increasingly more challenging and the slopes becoming incredibly slippery and hard to attack, excitement mounted as Hart and Le Gros continued to battle it out. Le Gros closed in on Hart on the final lap. Both girls pushed hard all the way to the finish line with less than a second separating them with Hart taking the advantage. 

"The final race of the day saw many slips, slides and spills. Thirteen Under 12 boys were keen to get going. Max Mahony and Casper Whitewood took off to flying starts but a blockage up the first hill slowed many of the riders down. The race was an eventful one with many competitors getting stuck in the thick mud, chains being dropped and gear malfunctions. Casper Whitewood took his first victory ahead of Filip Nowacki and Oliver Hamon. Organisers gave a special mention to Alex Read and Ollie Huelin who showed great resilience throughout the race to make up five places after tricky starts.

Pictured: The Under 14 boys after their race with the adults. From left: Charlie Hart, Liam Cadoret, Sam Nisbet and Tom Huelin.

"The Under 14 boys raced for just under 45 minutes with the adults in the morning. Charlie Hart (pictured) got a good start in a group of 39 riders dropping down the steep descents with control. Liam Cadoret worked hard to close the gap and took advantage of Hart having to remove vines from his chain ring, to take the lead and win the race, despite a tumble in his last lap. Tom Huelin worked tirelessly maintaining his third position for the duration of the race finishing ahead of Sam Nisbet, fourth. 

"They all showed resilience, determination and perseverance in tackling the steep, slippery ascents as well as maintaining control as they slid through the thick strength-sapping mud on the flatter sections. The boys were undaunted by the steep technical off-camber descents and slippery conditions and all enjoying cycling through the stream!

"The next JCAYA race is on 10 December at les Quennevais and all newcomers are welcome."