SCRL Circuit Race #5 - 11th April 2025
Open Youth C/D/E
Youth age categories: C (under 12, born 2013–2014), D (under 10, born 2015–2016), and E (under 8, born 2017 onwards).
Ten Youth C/D/E riders lined up at the start (with one to arrive)
It was a picture-perfect spring evening, with clear blue skies, golden sunshine, and a pleasant temperature of 17 degrees—something we were all truly grateful for. The evening’s race series marked the second instalment of our ongoing journey into youth circuit racing. What is usually a three-race evening evolved into an ambitious five-race format!
With C/D/E riders comes the family-friendly atmosphere of track racing. Parents, grandparents, and siblings gathered on the centre green with deck chairs, cheering under the sunshine. While uncommon for closed circuit racing, this setup perfectly suited youth racing and had the full support of Phil Jemmison, the British Cycling Commissaire.
The start whistle sounds, and Luke Spicer (PPYCC) wastes no time in making his intentions clear, launching off at a blistering pace
Mason Law (PPYCC) concentrated on pursuing the leader.
Rueben Gutman (PPYCC) leading the chase group
Sebastian Dorman (PPYC), just behind, remaining patient in the early part of the race.
Ted Robinson (PPYCC) and Eliza Hibbard (PPYCC) collaborated effectively to maintain the pace.
Thor Spicer (PPYCC) powered ahead at full gas, leading the Youth E category in pursuit of those in older categories in front.
Ossian Bryce-Stafford (PPYCC) maintained strong pace and form, with the leader, Luke Spicer, charging on behind.
A fully committed Rory Sweeney (PPYCC) holding second place in the Youth D category
Full commitment, regardless of the age group
Rueben Gutman set a strong pace for the group of Youth C riders. Will he be able to hold his position?
Luke Spicer maintained his early pace, extending his lead to over 20 seconds.
Time to go! Sebastian Dorman (PPYCC), demonstrating maturity by biding his time, begins his chase for the lead, with Mason Law also fully committed to the pursuit.
Lucas Walker (PPYCC) focused on racing his own race on the drops as the leaders closed in.
Luke Spicer, now caught, slows down the pace. Sebastian Dorman, looking focused behind.
Although a lap down, Rueben Gutman managed to stay in third position, and Mason Law, leading Youth C, took the opportunity to recover as the pace eased.
With five laps to go, the leading duo preserved their efforts, preparing to make an attack for the line.
Luke Spicer launched the first attack and gained a strong lead. However, misfortune struck with two laps to go when he dropped a chain, bringing him to an unfortunate halt.
This left the race open for Sebastian Dorman, as he sprinted for home on the last two laps.
Eliza Hibberd crossed the line to secure third place in the Youth C category.
Top five Youth C (under 12, born 2013–2014)
Sebastian Dorman, PPYCC
Rueben Gutman, PPYCC
Eliza Hibberd, PPYCC
Ted Robinson, PPYCC
Luke Spicer, PPYCC
Top three Youth D (under 10, born 2015–2016)
Mason Law, PPYCC
Rory Sweeney, PPYCC
Ossian Bryce-Stafford, PPCC
Top two Youth E (under 8, born 2017 onwards):
Thor Spicer, PPYCC
Lucas Walker, PPYCC
Please note that the results on the British Cycling website will reflect the order in which riders crossed the line, regardless of category.
Open Youth A/B
Youth age categories: A (under 16, born 2009–2010), B (under 14, born 2011–2012)
Six riders line up at the start line.
Thomas Dewey (PPYCC), a Youth C rider promoted to the Youth A/B race, set the pace right from the whistle, with Franklin Morris (Southborough & District Wheelers) and Harley Clarke (PPYCC) in pursuit.
Max Cooper (PPYCC) and Max Hibberd (PPYCC) work as a 2-up behind the leaders.
Joshua Butler-King (PPYCC)
Joshua faced an early mechanical issue, leaving him stuck in the little ring for the first couple of laps and unfortunately out of contention. However, once the gears were sorted, he battled on with determination.
Thomas Dewey, in front of the leading group.
Each of the three riders took strong turns at the front, equally challenging one another.
Franklin Morris went all-out, surging to the front in an attempt to make a solo and early bid for the line, but Harley Clarke stayed alert and matched his effort.
Thomas Dewey and Harley Clarke make it a leading duo.
Franklin, paid the price of his earlier effort and could no longer hold the wheels once Thomas Dewey hit the front. First and second places now assured, the leaders began to strategise their tactics.
The final five lap unfolds with Max Cooper and Max Hibberd battling fiercely near-side, while Thomas Dewey and Harley Clarke engage in tactical manoeuvres on the far-side of the track. It all comes down to a dramatic final-lap finish for the win and final places.
Harley Clarke, takes the win with a perfectly timed sprint, with Thomas Dewey taking second. Franklin Morris, finishes a few more seconds behind.
Top six:
Harley Clarke (PPYCC)
Thomas Dewey (PPYCC)
Franklin Morris (PPYCC)
Max Cooper (PPYCC)
Max Hibberd (PPYCC)
Joshua Butler-King (PPYCC)
Open 3/4 and Women’s 2/3/4
24 riders take to the start line for the Open 3/4 and 2 riders for the Women’s 2/3/4 race.
Familiar sight? Michael Stanley (Dulwich Paragon), the runner-up in race #3, launches an attack right from the whistle, staying true to his trademark style. Based on Michael’s previous races, the peloton is going to have to work hard in this one!
Rich Moult (Sussex Revolution) and Noal Wheller (LVYCC) take on the chase.
Noah Wheller, stretching the peloton in an attempt to close the gap.
Martin Gibbs (Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys) riding his turn at the front of the peloton as the gap closes.
Harry Christain (Dulwich Paragon), teammate of the leader, cheekily indicates, 'I’m not pulling' as he feigns his turns at the front, grinning at the early strategy they’ve laid out.
Michael Stanley’s lead starts to ebb away
The peloton has become fractured with the high pace.
Richard Moult, again on the offensive in an attempt to bridge the gap.
By studying the start list before the race, riders would have anticipated that joining a breakaway with Michael Stanley could significantly boost their chances.
What the riders might not have expected was that Michael came prepared—with a teammate. And a strong one at that!
Harry Christian now makes his presence felt, with Noah Wheller close behind, just as Michael is caught.
Ollie Smith attempted to break away from the peloton soon after the catch, but his effort was swiftly shut down.
All eyes on you, Michael! Either they admired the colour of your S-Works, or they knew you were the rider to beat. However, Michael, aware that he would be closely marked, had a teammate waiting in the wings.
Charlotte Adams (PDQ Property Elite) riding in the Women’s Race.
Harry Christian, makes a move! The peloton caught napping whilst watching Michael.
Harry goes on to create a 15 second gap over several laps.
This time, Michael takes his turn as the peloton disruptor. The outsmarted peloton grasp the situation - how can they defeat these two? If they chase, they bring Michael with them.
As Harry's lead dwindles, Michael breaks away from the surprised peloton to join him.
The plan in motion.
Two Dulwich Paragon riders at the front of the race, with Michael shouldering most of the workload following Harry’s solo effort. This sparked the peloton into full chase mode—they were no longer keeping an eye on anyone else
The fast-moving peloton eventually caught both Dulwich Paragon riders—do they have anything left in the tank for the final laps?
Laura Senior (Scott Pioneer DJ)
Laura entered the Open 3/4 for its competitiveness, and stayed close to the front throughout but opted not to contest the final sprint.
PDQ Property Elite teammates work together as a 2-up in the Women’s Race.
Stephen Byrne (NBHD x PW) and Ryan Edwards (Horsham Cycling Club) launched a 2-lap breakaway as the peloton eased its pace.
With five laps remaining, the peloton reels in Stephen and Ryan. No sooner do they catch the duo than Michael Stanley makes another solo break! Only Richard Moult reacts to the move.
Michael holds his lead to the line to take the win.
Dulwich Paragon delivered an impressive display of strength and teamwork, demonstrating how to dominate a race with just two riders. A small consolation for the 3/4 peloton is that Michael has now been promoted to Cat 2!
Photo courtesy of Dulwich Paragon.
Cesare Masset (Brighton Mitre CC) takes the sprint for second and Noah Wheller takes third.
Four riders sprint for fourth place, with less than a second separating them. Joseph Bacon (Rapha Cycling Club) claimed it. He is followed by James Di Rico (Sussex Revolution), Alaistair Weinberg (Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys), and Richard Moult in that order.
In the Women’s race, Charlotte Adams crosses the line just ahead of teammate Emma Kuusela.
Open 3/4 Top 10:
Michael Stanley, Dulwich Paragon
Cesare Masset, Brighton Mitre CC
Noah Wheller, LVYCC
Joseph Bacon, Rapha Cycling Club
James Di Rico, Sussex Revolution VC
Alastair Weinberg, Strada Wheels - RT Lucentsys
Richard Moult, Sussex Revolution VC
Ollie Smith
George Batchelor, Dorking Cycling Club
Ryan Edwards, Horsham Cycling Club
Women’s 2/3/4 Top 2:
Charlotte Adams, PDQ Property Elite
Emma Kuusella, PDQ Property Elite
Open E123
In the fading light, Phil Jemmison (British Cycling Commissaire) briefed the 15 riders assembled on the start line.
Simon McNamara (Sigma Sport RT) sets the early pace with Keith Henderson (Southborough & District Wheelers) following.
Isaac Wright (Strada Wheels RT-Lucentsys) leads the chasing group with Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports RT) behind.
Isaac, riding aggressively from the start, closed gaps, and attempted to break the race wide open
Marek Shafer (Brighton Mitre CC) at the front of the race.
It was only a matter of time before a breakaway forms.
And so it happens! John Tindell (Brighton Mitre CC) and Simon McNamara create the first significant breakaway.
The peloton, now reformed, take an easier lap to assess the outcome of the breakaway.
Isaac Wright, calling for riders to come through.
The leading duo began to extend their lead, piling pressure on those without teammates up front. The pace of the peloton now ramps up.
The peloton is strung out as Isaac Wright sets the pace in an attempt to close the gap to the leaders. Everyone working hard to stay on the wheel.
Jacob Arnell (Southborough & District Wheelers), and Isaac Wright behind, take on the majority of the work to bring back the leaders.
With much of the race complete, the gap to the leading riders has steadily narrowed, bit by bit, lap after lap.
With the leaders caught, relief was palpable as Isaac thanked Jacob, saying, 'That’s the hard bit done…' As if it were ever going to get easier! The stretched-out leading group now posed an entirely different challenge.
It doesn’t stay as a leading group for long— Alwyn Frank (Brighton Mitre CC) goes on the offensive.
A new breakaway formed with three riders—Jacob Arnell, Isaac Wright, and Alwyn Frank—and together, they built a substantial lead. The race was for the taking for the breakaway.
With five laps remaining, each rider continued to take turns at the front, all boasting wins in this year’s series—with Isaac arguably holding the edge in sprints. The fast pace made it a test of endurance to see who had the legs for the final lap.
Isaac Wright, takes the win ahead of Jacob Arnell in the final metres. Alwyn Frank, sits up and rolls over the line to claim third.
Marek Shafer, leads the rest of the riders over the line.
Top 10:
Isaac Wright, Strada Wheels - RT Lucentsys
Jacob Arnell, Southborough & District Wheelers
Alwyn Frank, Brighton Mitre CC
Marek Shafer, Brighton Mitre CC
Keith Henderson, Southborough & District Wheelers
Tom Smith, One Resourcing RT
Neil Simpson, Dulwich Paragon
Samuel Benge, TrainSharp RT
John Tindell, Brighton Mitre CC
Christopher McNamara, Sigma Sports RT
A fantastic evening of racing! Many thanks to all our volunteers that helped make the event go safely.
Special thanks to Phil Jemmison (British Cycling Commissaire) and Glyn Durrant (Surrey League) for overseeing sign-on, James Tomlinson for providing medical support, and our dedicated marshals—Paul Wheller, Ryan Edwards (Horsham Cycling), and Richard Moult (Sussex Revolution)—alongside many others.
Extended gratitude goes to Clive Spicer for help with youth gear roll-outs and for rider welfare, and Mark Aberdour and all our friends at Preston Park Youth Cycling Club for their invaluable assistance both prior to and on race day.
We also owe St Peter’s Cricket Club a huge debt of gratitude for cancelling their afternoon training session so that we could race an hour earlier - thank you!
Circuit race #6 - 25th April. Entries open now.
Photographs
Photos from this race and others in the series will be available for download here as soon as they’re ready:
