Medal success for young Jersey cyclists

Tuesday 18 June 2019

A group of young Jersey cyclists have triumphed in a UK competition, taking home the most medals out of any club attending the event.

On Sunday 9 June, Jersey Youth Cycling took 11 riders aged between 7 and 16 to compete in four different age categories at the Winchester Criterium. They secured three gold medals and one silver medal.

Pictured - left to Right: Emily Le Gros, Libby Hart, Ollie Huelin, Sienna Ramiondo, Dawson De Gruchy (back), Marley Raimondo, Gabriel Raimondo, Tom Huelin.

To start off the afternoon, Sienna Raimondo took gold in the Under 8s Girls race, placing 7th overall and being the only female rider to complete five laps, giving the male riders a bit of competition.

In the Under 10s Boys category, Marley Raimondo fought fiercely to defend his position and it was by putting in his fastest lap of the race that he was able to claim 6th place. 

Ollie Huelin made a quick starting getaway in the Under 12s Boys race, but was quickly chased by the eventual winner after being in first place for his first lap. Over the next five laps Huelin was able to cross the line in a tremendous second place.

Pictured: Ollie Huelin, secured a silver medal in the Under 12s Boys race.

Dawson De Gruchy and Gabriel Raimondo came 15th and 24th with lap times only twenty seconds behind the overall winners. As first years in this age category there was a greater focus on enjoyment and learning. Both riders are currently on the road to further success. 

In the Under 12s Girls race, Emily Le Gros was locked in battle with two other girls from the same team. In initiating her sprint on the final lap, the lead rider swerved in front of her, meaning she came in a frustrating second place.

The race commissioners later declared that Le Gros had suffered interference with her sprint, so the first and second positions were swapped, leaving Emily to claim the gold medal.

Pictured: Emily Le Gros, taking the gold medal after interference with her sprint.

Libby Hart had a difficult start, finding herself in 32nd position overall after her first lap. Moving up the ladder lap after lap, Hart's final lap was her fastest securing her 4th place in the girls race and 18th overall.

Tom Huelin (in his third consecutive weekend of off-island racing) dominated the Under 14s Boys race, claiming gold over a rider that is currently ranked 2nd in the country.

Tom Nisbet, a first year in the category, then ranked 25th, completing the course without any incidents and had consistent timed laps.

Pictured: Tom Huelin, claimed gold against a rider currently ranked 2nd in the country.

Finally, Ollie Cadin and Sam Nisbet were in the highly competitive Under 16s race, which was also the South Regional Criterium Championship event. The riders finished in 16th and 23rd place out of a field of thirty riders. 

Both riders are also in their first years in this age category and are looking towards selection to represent Jersey in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2021.