Saturday 11th April 2015-04-13
In the absence of local racing at any of the usual locations Gaia Casciello and Rebecca Maynard of the Welwyn Wheelers Academy scoured the calendar last week and found the York Cycleworks Spring Circuit Races 1 (Cat. 2/3/4) at the relatively new York Sports Village. So together with Richard Maynard they set off on Friday evening, stayed overnight at Richard Parents’ house and travelled to York well rested in the morning.
The circuit, which is next to the newly commissioned outdoor 250m velodrome, is open and exposed. Warming up on rollers in the gusty conditions proved testing, which gave a good indication of the way in which the race would unfold.
Part of the attraction of going to far flung races is the unknown field, which was the case here. The predication was that the race would fracture into small groups was confirmed early in the race with two strong riders attacking and leaving the peleton in the early stages, this left the girls, armed with their race plan, to fight it out with the rest of the field.
They maintained their position at the front of the peleton and took their turns in keeping the pace high. This resulted in them causing a group of three to break from the front of the group and the pattern of attacking the third rider as a team was set. This rider was extremely strong and to her credit attacked the two Welwyn girls herself. Rebecca was first dropped from the group and then later Gaia, meaning that both of them were left to circulate on their own.
In the final stages the now very tired Rebecca was caught and overtaken by a rider from the Boston Wheelers Cycle Club, meaning that at the finishing line Gaia was 4th and Rebecca was 6th, out of a field of 15.
Both girls had a great trip and learnt a lot from their race about tactics and when to make the maximum effort. As well as the normal local racing both of them are now looking to race in the Polypipe Pontefract Town Centre Crits as the change of location proved great fun.
Richard Maynard
Academy Coordinator