Busy Three Weeks of Success for the Harrogate Nova Youth Race Team

Over the last 3 weeks the Harrogate Nova Youth Race Team have taken part in events all over the UK amassing numerous wins and podium positions.

Strong Results at the Youth Tour of Kent

In late June the team took part in the Youth Tour of Kent. Each team member rode strongly and by the end of the weekend the team came away with top 10 positions from Erin Denwood (under 14 girls) and Jake Thornton (Under 14) and two stage wins and two 2nd places in the Under 12 and Under 16 general classifications courtesy of Bobby Whatmuff and Dan Shipton.

National Championships Test the Team at Oliver's Mount

There was no time for the team to rest as the next weekend saw the National Youth Championships take place on the punishing Oliver’s Mount circuit in Scarbrough.

Bobby Whatmuff and Jake Thornton got the team off to a great start coming in 5th in the Under 12 and Under 14 categories. Attention then turned to the Under 16 category where Nova had 6 riders in the race. Sickness, mechanical problems and the heat impacted on the riders, but despite this Josh Stewart did a storming ride coming in 12th and Dan Shipton 10th.

Nova Controls the Racing at Otley

Attention then turned to the Otley and Ilkley criterium evening races. 30 minutes of intense racing featuring some of the best youth riders from across the UK.

First up Otley. The Nova riders had a point to prove and so took control of the race early on. Dan Shipton made his move and established a 3-man break. The rest of the Nova riders controlled the peloton with Reuben Hart an imperious presence near the front of the bunch helping the Shipton breakaway group establish a 30 second lead. At the end of the race Dan started the sprint early but was pipped to 2nd place in the Under 16 category whilst Jake Thornton came in 3rd in the Under 14 category.

Dan Takes Solo Victory at Ilkley

Two days later and it was the Ilkley Criterium.

Once again Dan Shipton was in the break but did not wait for the sprint this time and on the gruelling Ilkley circuit, he stomped on the pedals and distanced himself from the entire field coming in for the solo win in the Under 16 category. Meanwhile Jake Thornton did a great ride coming in 2nd in the Under 14 category. 

Three Weeks of Outstanding Team Racing

It was an intense spell of racing, but throughout the three weeks every member of the Harrogate Nova Youth Team demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment and camaraderie, producing a series of performances the whole team can be proud of.