Charlton and Hall power to victory in National Youth Championship heats
Seventh in last year’s national finals, Josh Charlton (Hetton Hawks CC) made a great start to the 2018 National Youth Championships with victory in the North East round of the competition, while Maddy Hall (Breeze Bikes RT) was the fastest girl.
14-year-old Maddy clocked 25-28 for the two-lap ten-mile course, just reward for her regular appearances and rides in the Barnesbury CC club events which have seen her develop into a great time trial prospect heading into the national finals near Norwich in September.
Hall’s time was 22 seconds faster than second fastest female Roisin Lally (Derwentside CC), while Freja Smith (Hetton Hawks CC) was third, another 19 seconds off the pace.
And for Charlton, his time of 20-23 gave him victory on the night by 1-01 from Gosforth Road Club’s Daniel Dixon, while Matthew Wells (Tyneside Vagabonds) was third with 22-13.
Charlton is perhaps more accustomed to riding cyclo-cross or track, but his efforts in this Barnesbury CC event show he has plenty of time trial talent too.
Elsewhere in the result, the youngest competitors were Ciaran Lally (Derwentside CC) and Joe Dixon (Gosforth RC) who are both 12, and powered round the course to clock impressive times.
The event was run on a warm evening, and was sponsored by Start Fitness who ensured each competitor received a cycling goody bag for their efforts.
