We have waited for local evening race series for years and finally VC Montpellier and Cheltenham and county have stepped up to the mark with race series at Cheltenham Race course.

Initially there were a few question marks over the prospect of success of a race series in a carpark but the outcome was a resounding thumbs up. The youth CD and E categories used a shortened circuit that had a climb and a descent as well as some fast and tricky bends with surface changes. The Youth A,B and Juniors used the full circuit which is wide, and challenging. A right handed lap is about 1.5km long and features a stiff 1:8 climb for 250m up through the paddock area where the bar and spectators are. The finish is 3/4 the way up the climb. In the dry the corners are all possible at maximum speed with the exception of one which requires a slight checking of speed.

The Under 10 race was contested by 3 riders in a breakaway with finally Luke Turnbull using his fast growing experience to identify his strengths and his competitors weaknesses before attacking them on the last climb to win the sprint for the line, not far behind was Roo Ledger then Jamie Woolstnecroft who showed both showed that their racecraft is quickly improving. Nelly ledger, who has just joined the age group, rode a very strong race too maintaining her trademark grin.

In the Under 12 race Thomas Lane went away in a race long break with another rider and they stayed away for the whole race. On the last lap Thomas made a small gap on the back straight but was chased down, keeping cool he then put in another effort on the climb to the final straight and this was enough to create a gap which he held onto for the finish. The Youth A,B race was contested on the full circuit which was to prove a real test for our youngsters. The racing was fast and the bunch spilt quickly. Rory Mcmeehan and Joe Harris rode strong races in which they learnt about the cornering and climbing required to compete in this type of race a this level. Second claim member Cameron Foster stayed with the leading group of 5 for half the distance before being gapped.

In the senior race SCC had 4 riders, Robin Corder, Marcus Mingins, Tom Heenan and Martin Millington. The race was always going to be fast as it was for 2nd 3rd and 4th cat riders and being a criterium there is no space to sit up and wait for a race to develop. The field of 54 riders was quickly strung out but there was never a feeling of being squeezed in the corners or any pushing or shoving, the descent is smooth and straight so perfectly safe at the 40mph that the bunch was descending at.

As the race progressed the pace was relentless and we were soon gapped and formed our own group of similarly matched riders. With races at the weekend Marcus, Robin and Martin dropped out around 30 minutes in to save themselves. Tom stayed in the race pushing as hard as possible and eventually completed 34 laps to finish the race out of the rankings, with a big grin and sense of achievement.

If you were ever in doubt about trying a race but didn’t have the guts then you should really try this one, it is close, there are going to be lots of SCC members there and there is a bar so if you get your fill early then you can get a quick half whist you watch some really high quality racing. Failing all that it is a great opportunity for some high intensity training or some good social supporting. See you there!!