Youngsters promise cycling club bright future

Not content with competing and winning at local level, Felix English, sister Kim and Patrick Hough have all made the successful transition to racing at national level.

At local events Kim English is often seen beating the boys and girls in the under-10 track events at Preston Park '“ where she currently leads the overall classification '“ and on the road at Hove Park, but it is at national events that Kim really excels.

Last year she was third at the Essex International Youth Tour and followed this with a clear win at the National Hill Climb Championships.

More recently Kim won the supporting events at the National Championship Circuit series in Barnsley, and her regular visits to dedicated cycle circuits at Eastway and Hillingdon have seen a 100 per cent record of wins.

Felix English has also started to race across the country in the under-14 category and has shown himself to be a true contender in the National Circuit Championship, finishing second in the regional finals at Hillingdon and Bristol and claiming the win at Thruxton.

Felix continues to clean up all the local events. He is currently leading the Track Championship and Circuit Race Championship at Preston Park and Hove Park and almost always wins his events on the much longer Goodwood motor racing circuit.

Despite being only 13 years of age, Felix has started to race against, and beat, many senior riders. Felix always beats his experienced road man father in the regular Lewes Wanderers time trials around the county and has recently finished seventh in the Senior Race at Hove Park despite having to line up at the start seconds after winning his own race with no time to recover.

Having placed well at all the regional events, Felix qualified for the Area Championships last weekend. A crash early in the race saw him with a lo t of ground to make up to the main bunch and it wasn't until half distance that Felix got back on terms.

By this time the dangeman of the race had a half a lap lead, but despite his injuries Felix soon bridged the gap but was just outsprinted to the line.

Patrick Hough is not just keen on cycling - he takes part in many running events. With amazing ability in both sports, Patrick has earned himself a place on the British triathlon talent team which provides specialist coaching to enable structured improvement. As a result, he recently won the prestigious Dover and Bicester triathlons in the 11-12 years age group.

Due to his other commitments Patrick has only attended Preston Park track league once this year but won all of his events with ease.