The Mid-Devon CC / Colin Lewis Team sent its youth riders to Ilton Airfield on Saturday for a series of races promoted by the First Chard Wheelers.

For many of the riders it was their first experience of racing, but they came away with a hatful of wins and some useful experience.

The conditions were bright but windy, with the open nature of the course leaving no shelter for the riders.

In the under-tens' event, Harrison Wood endured a race-long battle with his rival Carlos Silva of Guerciotti, only to be narrowly beaten in the sprint finish for first place.

Joel Kelly was the winner in the under-12s' race, with team-mate Ettienne Georgi finishing second and Cameron Merryfield third. Ollie Souch had a promising debut and was close behind.

Will Kelly tried to make it a family double by winning the under-14s' event but was edged out by Chris Bretell of Team Tor 2000. James Groves finished in third place.

The under-16s' race was run off at speed with Mid-Devon pressing home their numerical superiority by finishing first, second and fifth.

Tom Tinnyunt, Tom Dracup, Ashley Crocker and Jonathon Aske took it in turn to launch attacks on their fellow competitors.

Aske eventually broke clear with two laps remaining and soloed to the win. He was hotly pursued by Tom Dracup.

It looked like Mid-Devon would have a clean sweep of the podium places but with one lap remaining Tinnyunt derailed his chain and his race was finished. Crocker was fifth.

There were so many riders wanting to race the organisers split the third and fourth catergory riders into two races.

Junior Mid-Devon CC / Colin Lewis Team riders Matt Hill, Clayton Baker and Jack Baker succesfully completed the fourth category event. Hill came home seventh in the bunch sprint gaining some useful points and claiming the leading Junior prize.

In the third category event Adam Beams and Alan Drury finished safely in the bunch.

The race for the top riders was hard, fast and hectic. One rider, Andrew Magnier of Planet X, was head and shoulders above the rest. In the closing laps he just rode away from the others, leaving them to sprint out for the minor placings. Andrew Hitchens was eighth in the mass gallop.

Futher afield, Robert Smail had a busy and fruitful weekend.

On Saturday he rode on the purpose made Sundome Sports Village circuit. This is close to Shrewsbury. He launched the first attack and was joined by four other riders.

One of the quintet was noticeable for not working. When this rider attacked Smail went with him. They then lapped the whole field apart from the three erstwhile companions. In the sprint, Smail paid for his earlier aggression and had to settle for second spot.

On Sunday, he went to Evesham for a 70km race. All attempts to break away were thwarted, so it was down to a mass sprint. This was taken by former multi-national time-trial champion Richard Prebble. Smail was ninth.

The North Devon Wheelers' Sporting 32-mile time trial proved a disappointment for Peter Vincent. He made a fast start but felt the effect of a slight viral infection so wisely climbed off at 12 miles; this left it for Mark Lees (South Fork Racing) to win in 1.16.4 from Julius Jennings, who was 17 second behind.

The fastest of the Mid-Devon CC / Colin Lewis Team was Mark Sanders in 1.23.39. Ian Deakin felt the effects of racing at Ilton and took 1.27.43.

Ken Robertson came home with the prize for the best rider over 60. His time of 1.39.33 was only marinally slower than in 2008. Most of the difference was accounted for when he had to stop for more than half-a-minute at traffic lights.