// RACE REPORT: SPRING IN THE PARK #01
A favourite series of ours returned this week amidst a social media frenzy. The loosely named ‘Spring’ in the Park arrived after some early morning rain, but remained dry once the racing kicked off. With a number of new riders to the Gravesend scene, this first round proved a useful outing, picking up points across the board but mostly experience to take into the coming events over the warmer weeks to follow.
“The Spring in the Park Hype is real.”
// UNDER 8s
We began with the Under Eights and an introduction to Regional racing for some of our squad. Limited Edition Girls gave a show of strength on the startline with three-quarters of the line up sporting green, the podium a similar shade once racing was done. Lola Stewart kicked off Road Season in the same way she left Cross Season behind her - dominating. Another win for the Pocket Rocket, leading from start to finish. Enyo had a similarly impressive race, diving into her first SITP Series, powerfully taking the long drag climb smoothly and making it a one-two for The Green Machine. Our Combativity Award for the day went to Olive, however. Sitting pretty in third, she put too much power down and spilled on the tarmac, hitting the ground hard. Summoning the spirit of those who have tumbled before her, she dusted herself down and after a quick check over from the medic, completed the race. She took fourth overall, but crucially scored points which will serve her well in future rounds. Chapeau!
The boys also set the standard for the day. Kasper defined souplesse on the climb, securing second place with a strong ride, rarely looking troubled by most of the field. Meanwhile his teammate Woody stepped up to Under 8s and bagged tons of experience holding his own at this level with sixth overall following an impressive sprint-finish under the bridge.
// UNDER 10s
A tough act to follow for the Under 10s, but Tejus was firmly in the mood. Finding himself slightly off the front group after the first lap, he battled hard to close the gap solo and did so before mixing it with a powerful and tactical bunch for the remainder of the race. Despite numerous attacks, they entered the final hundred metres together with Tejus grabbing ninth and the knowledge he is in the mix for Round Two. The race was blown apart behind them, but Kien and Elias worked together in a great show of teamwork. Stepping up to U10, Elias showed a calm head and rode sensibly to nick an impressive eleventh place with Kien in twelth, basking in the warm glow of supporting his friend.
“Our Combativity Award for the day went to Olive”
// UNDER 12s
Whilst Coach G tried to get a Pedro Rave going in the LEC gazebo, the Under 12s took to the startline. Two SITP debutants for LEC, though Floyd has ridden at regional level before. He started strongly, in the main group for the first few laps before a big kick split the pack. Fortunately his winter indoor training gave the Club Tour de Zwift Champion plenty of power to keep the watts up through to a solid fifteenth place in a competitive field. Experience was on Lucas’ side though just missing out on the break in the first lap made for a tough morning - Cyclopark is an unforgiving circuit riding solo - but he dug in, engaged the diesel engine and the Lucamotive worked for his points in eighteenth.
Our second introduction to SITP was for Sofia, battling it out in the girls’ race. She found herself locked in a duel, working together with a rider from Barking & Dagenham before things got tactical in the latter stages. Sofia bagged sixth place and will be back for more in Round Two, we’re sure.
// UNDER 14s
Adhereing to Limited Edition etiquette, the squad all stayed to support our eldest rider. Edie wanted to give them a cheer to end the day but it wasn’t to be, missing out to her nearest rival in a sprint after a tense 25 minute head-to-head. The tension grew each lap as the two monitored and covered each other, but the kick on the hill was too strong for the LEC old-timer who will need to think about an earlier attack next time out. Edie finished sixth, furious and fired up for Friday 10th May.
