Returning for the fifth year running, youth numbers were good for the Sotonia Summer Criterium on Sunday with 59 youth riders – 17 of which were Sotonia in a season that has seen falling race entries for many events. In warm, breezy conditions, Tom Wilks finished 3rd U8 boy, Marit Davidse 1st U8 girl, Jaya Martingale 3rd, Tilly Wilks and Theresa Bignell 4th and 5th U8 girls, Izzy Hall 2nd U10 girl, Monty Flavell 3rd U10 boy and a great team effort by our U12 boys.
The E123 race featured five Sotonia riders. The group stayed together until around the halfway mark when Matt Downie (TAAP Cervelo) put in a trademark stinging attack that took several laps to bring back. A trio of riders then got away including Matt and Brook Elgie which split the pack in two as others bridged across to make a group of seven. With two laps to go Ed Slot made a solo bid but was chased down to leave the final group sprint won by Rhys HIDRIO (HJL), Mike Smith (MB Cyclery) 2nd and Matt Downie 3rd. Sotonia taking positions 6-10: Brook Elgie, Ed Slot, Tom Budden, Patryk Rucki and James Peckham.
Many thanks to all the club members who helped make this event possible.
Full results here