YOUNG, local cyclist Bayley Woodger participated in three races over five days as he prepared for the upcoming European Youth Tour in the Netherlands later this month.

First, he competed in the first round of the National Circuit Series, the Otley Town Centre Races, which was held in front of a large crowd for its 41st year. With a big field of competitors, Bayley was very active at the front of the race and finished in ninth place.

Next, he took part in the National Circuit Series Ilkley Cycle Races. This smaller course presented a different challenge, but the fantastic roadside support kept the energy high.

A small group of six riders broke away from the pack, and Bayley was among them. However, he encountered issues with his chain at the top of the climb and lost his drink bottle.

He tried to chase back on for a lap, recording some of the best power numbers he had ever achieved, but ultimately decided to withdraw from the race to conserve energy for the national championships.

The national championship featured a strong performance from Bayley. The first 15 minutes of the race were steady, but soon after, all the main contenders began to attempt breakaways. This went on for over an hour, with the entire peloton showcasing incredible strength and skill as they worked to chase down each group.

Bayley was often at the front and even took a few turns at the lead himself. With four laps to go, however, he was involved in a crash and fell off his bike. Despite this setback, Bayley managed to chase back to the front of the race within half a lap.

In the end, it came down to a bunch sprint, and he finished in 21st place.

Bayley was previously riding for Mid Devon Cycling Club and some of their current talents were in action recently as well.

Lauren Fox delivered an impressive performance at the Under-14 National Road Championships in Pembury.

Throughout the race, she positioned herself at the front of the pack, consistently attempting to break away; however, her efforts were unfruitful in the last 15 minutes.

As the race neared a sprint finish, Lauren made the decision to start her sprint early, recognizing the signs of the impending finale. She managed to pull ahead by a couple of bike lengths, ultimately securing her first-ever national jersey.

This achievement is a testament to her years of hard work and the support she has received.

Mid Devon also had two other riders, Meryn Kitchen and Matt Holmes, competing in the Under-16 category, which was a fiercely contested race filled with numerous attacks.

Matt finished in the main group, placing 36th, while Meryn came in just behind in 56th. Both riders showed commendable effort.

Congratulations must go to all four of these youngsters, both MDCC past and present, for their hard work and determination.

Formed in 1930, Mid-Devon Cycling Club has a rich history and a reputation for producing some of the country’s leading riders, including Tour de France riders Colin Lewis and Jeremy Hunt, Yanto Barker and Jonathan Tiernan-Locke. More recently, Harrison Wood has progressed from the junior ranks to the highest levels of the sport.

MDCC isn’t just about elite competition though with the club holding regular club and training rides at eight different ability levels. For more information, visit their website.