Young Stratford rider in national championships
YOUNG Stratford Cycling Club rider Charlie Shalders warmed up for the European Junior Cycling Tour in Holland next month with a fine performance at the National Youth Circuit Championships which were held in Gravesend, Kent.
Competing in the u14 category, the competition was on a challenging course and in tricky conditions with rain in the latter stages testing those taking part.
Shalders raced for 75 minutes – his longest event to date – with an average speed of nearly 25 mph. Starting from the back of the grid, he navigated the rolling start and managed to hold his position within the lead group for more than an hour, showcasing his resilience and tactical acumen.
As the weather took a turn for the worse though, the dynamics of the race shifted with the rain transforming the track into a slippery challenge.
The sudden downpour tested the riders’ bike-handling skills and their ability to maintain speed and control and it was during this phase that the lead group's pace and the increasingly treacherous conditions caused the elastic to snap, and Shalders lost contact.
He finished 41st of the 62 riders and although slightly disappointed not to show his best form, the Stratford cyclist gained valuable experience competing against the nation's top young riders which will be a significant stepping stone in his cycling journey.