Early start today, racing at Tunstall Forest for the Mud Sweat and Gears event. After one and half hours of coaching the racing was set, the rain had held off and the conditions were good.
The under 12s were set off and the lead riders set the 1st lap time of 3.28 Will D WWCC, Harrison and Felix both of LVYCC were 6 seconds up on the following riders.
Will leading Harrison with Felix just behind.
As they set off for the second lap a confused marshal directed around 10 riders from the lead group in the wrong direction.
I believe Harrison had taken the lead at this point and started to push on, to his and others horror they found themselves in the car park. A u turn to get back on track was the turning point of the race Harrison found himself well back on a number of riders and 39 seconds back from the Leader Felix LVYCC who had manged with Will to get back onto track quite quickly. Harrison was clearly upset as he battled to get back into the race but the short race was not going to allow him to make that amount of time up.
A few of the riders were upset about incident and when they race road week in week out together to they do have respect for each other which is very noble at 10 years old.
The organisers were mortified that such error had happened, this was no consolation to Harrison who had been looking forward to race for a couple of months. The drive home was a long one.
I read a Facebook post which suggests an under 12 female rider was pushed from her bike during the race. That is not in the spirit of any sporting event and is upsetting, knowing some of the boys which raced today they have even stopped to check on fallen riders.
essexboyroadracer 