Matlock cyclists perform well in Fields Farm challenge

Amelie Wayte took second place in the U12 girls section.

The promoting club – Team Empella – put on a tough course with sharp climbs and technical sections for the riders to negotiate.

Matlock Cycling Club had considerable success once again across the various age categories.

In the Under 9s race, Matlock’s Louis Swindell was just edged out from the race win by Otto Chilton of Derby Mercury. Swindell was a comfortable second, just 12 seconds off Chilton’s winning time.

Swindell’s teammate Holly Hoy won the girls Under 9s category, edging out her teammate Harriet Limb by one second.

The high finishes continued in the Under 12s race, with Amelie Wayte taking second place in the girls’ section.

Wayte, winner of the first round at Hardwick Hall, came in just 30 seconds down on Ava Oxley of KCA Race Team.

Matlock’s Sarah Briggs also finished on the podium in the girls Under 12s race, just 11 seconds down on Wayte.

In the youth race, Matlock’s Will Gascoyne came second overall with the win going to Josh Waters of Sherwood Pines.

Cameron Orr, moving up in to the Under 16s category this year, put in a superb performance to finish in sixth place overall.

Matlock’s John Webster was in imperious form as he powered to victory in the Under 14 boys category. Webster finished well clear of Matthew Ellis of Sherwood Pines Race Team.

In the girls Under 14s race, Matlock’s Ellie Smith was just pipped to the line by her arch rival Poppy Wildman of Nottingham Clarion. The pair were comfortably ahead of the rest of the field, taking the first two places by some distance.

Matlock stalwart Chris Green was third overall in the Veteran 45s category, won by local Zepnat RT’s Jonathan Marshall.

Green’s son Arthur took part in the full seniors race, and coming up against some of the top riders in the UK, put in a sterling performance to finish in tenth place overall.

In the same race, local rider Lee Shunburne of Fossa Racing Team finished in seventh place, with overall victory going to Dan Booth of Hope Factory Racing.

Meanwhile, as part of the Peak District Cycling Festival, Matlock Cycling Club organised a timed skills test on Sunday at the Thornbridge Outdoors Centre in Great Longstone.

Max Walling from Leicester was the fastest rider to negotiate the course, finishing in a time of 30.2 seconds. James Fellottini from Sheffield was second, whist Matlock Cycling Club’s Sam Gould was third, just three seconds off the winner’s time.