Alex is victorious in youth league - The Stratford Observer

Alex is victorious in youth league

Stratford Editorial 6th Sep, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

STRATFORD Cycling Club’s Alex Burden is celebrating after being crowned overall winner of the Mallory Park Youth League under ten series having won five of the 19 races.

The young ace also finished second on three occasions and third on four occasions.

At senior level, Stratford CC’s Tony Owen rode in a League of Veteran series race at Towcester.

It is amazing how in this period of good weather this event found a wet and windy day for this 60-mile race for older riders. At times there were outbreaks of sun to remind the riders of what might have been!




Owen, riding his last race of the season for Stratford CC, was in the over 45-plus age group and once again managed fifth place on a tricky circuit.

The race route was a 7.5-mile circuit which included multiple small hills, the most notable of which was on a very exposed section into a strong headwind.


The A (40-45) and B (45-50) race started with a full field of 40 riders. There were two teams consisting of five riders from the same club (Luton CC and Milton Keynes Racing) so tactics were predictable.

The attacks went from the start and Owen started rather gently as the wind was behind for the first section of the lap. The reason for doing this was to control the initial attacks and let the race settle for at least the first lap.

This sort of worked, as lots of attacks were launched during the early miles of the race but all were neutralised as the two teams battled to be in the ‘right move’.

By the end of the first lap it was clear there was a big spread of ability in the field as at least ten riders were dropped from the bunch either through punctures, mechanicals or not having race fitness.

The end of each lap was at the top of a short climb and it was here the decisive move was made as a split formed.

Lots of tactical racing followed and a battling Owen eventually finished tenth overall and fifth in his age category.

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