Young Hackney Primary Schools Cycling League: Massive turnout for Grass Track

Ready for the off

There was a massive turnout for the first grass track of this season at Hackney Downs on Friday 13th May. Ninety six years 4 and 5 riders from 10 schools turned up in perfect conditions for grass track racing - and for the majority it would have been their first time on a fix wheeled track bike. After a brief practise session it was straight down to racing as we had two hours to fit in 25 races. When I tell you the most we've had a grass track before is about 50 riders you'll get an idea of how big an event this was.

Push starts

The riders all had there separate races to take part in - a scratch race, a Devil or elimination race and a handicap sprint. The league points would be calculated on how the riders performed in all of the events so consistency was key. This could mean that a rider might win her first race then after doing poorly in her other races she wouldn't be in medal position or might not even score league points. With so many riders in each year group we had to run two races to make it safe and also there weren't enough bikes to go around otherwise.

Big field in the y5 boys

The scratch races were first with each being over three laps with the first lap being neutralised so they could get used to the track. The winners for the year four girls were Ashleigh Hunt - Millfields and Mabel Cooper Spice - Jubilee. Year four boys scratch winners were Kaspar Mcinnes and Solomon Rigg both Millfields. Year five girls scratch winners were Molly Gregory and Isobel Katesmark-Jones - both Gayhurst and the year five boys winners were Robin Steer- Millfields and Dexter Cleary - Gayhurst.

Perfect conditions for grass track

Next up were the elimination races - popularly known as the Devil - as in devil take the hindmost - where the last riders over the line each lap are eliminated from the race and leave the track. with the large fields we took two riders out a time in order to fit all the races into the time we had. The year 4 girls winners were - Ashleigh Hunt and Mariya Nasua both Millfields and the year four boys races were won by Kaspar Mcinnes and Milton Higgott both Millfields. The year 5 girls devil winners were -Anna for Jubilee and Olive for Grazebrook, whilst the boys year fives were won by Riccardo Verger for Millfields and Rueben Mooney for Jubilee.

Handicap sprint action

The final set of races were the Handicap Sprints where riders start one in front of the other dependent on their placings in their first race with the lowest finishers being placed furthest round the track and the winners back on the start line - its fast and furious 1 lap race and if the handicaps are right all the riders should almost cross the line together.

Kai on the derny leading the riders round

The winning year four girls were Myeisha Jones - Kingsmead and Mathilda Tamfuri- Southwold
and the year five girls races were won by Meg McGrandle - Millfields and Lola- Shacklewell.

Neutral lap over

The year four boys handicap races were won by Mylo Pape - Jubilee and Jos- Kingsmead and the year 5 winners were Satch Anstey - Shacklewell and Evan Campillo -Parkwood.

Many adult helpers were pulled in as holders for the races

Riders in their starting places for the handicap sprint

Eyeing up the competition

There were a few crashes - especially at the end of races where riders forgot to pedal but none were serious and well done to all the riders who came off and got back into their next race.

First and 2nd y5 girls

the final lap bell

The results for each group are below along with the league table with a change at the top again as Millfields jump back in front of Jubilee - only 5 points separate the two teams so its all to play for in the last two events.

Thanks to all the riders, teachers, coaches helpers, parents for turning out - see you next time.