The weather man was spot on as he predicted a shower over Market Harborough at 1.40pm.

As Whizz Kids and parents started arriving for this years Grass Track Extravaganza the rain drops could be seen bouncing off the bright yellow club gazebo.

By the time the 45 Whizz Kids had been organised into 5 teams – Wiggins, Cavendish, Pendleton, Romero and Sir Hoy – the rain had eased and actually there was more oxygen in the air compared to the muggy conditions earlier on in the day.

The team managers – Kevin, Ade, Gaye, Vic, Sophie and Paul organised the Whizz Kids ready for event one the Team Sprint.

This was competed as a relay. This was an extremely close race with all the Whizz Kidscoping with damp conditions.
Plenty of power was going down through the pedals as the teams raced to the bitter end.
Snatching victory was Team Pendleton manager by Sophie Nicholls. Sophie had deployed some very cleaver tactics with the distribution of her team. It was great to see Sophie getting one over on her more experienced team managers.

Event two was Musical Cones – this was a mass race. When the music stopped the riders had to stop by a coloured cone. As the cones disappeared the number of riders diminished until two riders were left. Well done to Ross and James.

Event three saw the Whizz Kidsaged 8 years and under compete in a Keirin. After completing one lap of the Welland Park track the healthy crowd watched on as the derny pulled off leaving the racers a one lap sprint. Holly made a move down the back straight to coast to victory.

The older Whizz Kids lined up for event four. The Keirin in Japanese means ‘fight’.
As the derny set off (Josh, who is one of our youngest Whizz Kids) the eager more aggressive racers fought for a good position on the track.
Sir Chris Hoy would have been pleased with the sharp elbows on display.
As the derny pulled off the track the speed into the first corner generated considerable ‘G Force’ as the power went down as the older Whizz Kids faced a two lap dash to the line.
Ross went for a long sprint hitting the front with a lap to go and maintained a good gap to cross line with both arms in the air.

Event five was the Multi Skills relay race. Around the outside of the grass track was 4 skill zones and down the home straight was a scramble net the riders had to negotiate (without their bikes). The skills involved a spot golf, some football, skittles and single track racing.
During the marathon race it was very evident that the Whizz Kids are also very proficient in a number of sports.
Once again showing Team Pendleton lead the way as the team manager deployed different tactics to deliver another team victory.

Due to time Event six, The Slow Bicycle, race was scrapped from the race program – I know how slow some of the Whizz Kidscan ride :O)

To end the carnival of racing each age group competed in a Devil.
8 years and under started event seven and soon riders were being eliminated as the last 3 riders over the line peeled off into the track centre.
Once again Holly rode a measured race to win her second sprint event. It was superb to watch the youngsters sprinting for the line in the early exchanges of the race.

Event eight delivered most aggressive racing of the day as the older Whizz Kids faced the Devil.
The quality of racing was fantastic with Whizz Kids mixing it to ensure they stayed in contention.
At the head of race going into the final lap was Ross, he looked to be in total control until a strong challenge from Jack saw a drag race to finish each chewing the handle bars fighting all the way to the line. Ross just coming out on top by taking the verdict by a wheel.

At the start of the session the weather looked like it cause havoc, credit to the Whizz Kids for quality bike handling skills and such passionate racing.

Apologies at times my mind was thinking about a former Whizz Kids George Atkins.
George had tried to call me during the session, I wish now I had taken the call so that I could share with you his achievement.
Today George won the National Junior Road Race, a 68 mile road race staged in South Wales.

For all of those Whizz Kids racing today George is a superb role model. Today I could see similar qualities in a number of riders George first displayed 5 years ago.

Many thanks to

Gaye
Fiona
Sophie
Ian
Ade
Vic
Kevin
and the continued support from parents.

Tickety boo
Dean