Last updated 19:45, Thursday, 17 July 2008

ON AND off showers didn’t dampen the spirits of the 11 hardy young Lakeland Sprinters riders who came to race at Rowrah Karting Stadium.

Although the track was judged too slippery for the faster riders to do a full race programme, division four riders on the 500m time trial course were still able to race against the clock.

At first it seemed that, in these conditions, no-one could possibly put in a personal best until Poppy Watson took five seconds off her’s.

And then Molly Rankin astounded the watchers by taking over 25 seconds off her pb.

Calls for random drug testing were firmly turned down by the senior coach, who pointed out that jelly babies are not yet on the banned substances list.

The final results of the 500m time trial were first Jack McDonagh (2.44), second Olivia Fearon (3.29), third Poppy Watson (3.33 pb), fourth Molly Rankin3.39 pb) and fifth Ruth Atkinson (5.53).

Division two and three riders, denied the opportunity to shine on the 1km time trial course, received coaching from senior coaches Don Morrison and Gerry McCarten on the tight, windy top track circuit, before tackling the punishing 120m hill climb course.

This is the first time this year that the course has seen action and the riders made the most of the opportunity.

King of the Mountains was international rider Artem Leutau from Belarus making his second appearance at the track.

Leutau clocked 18 seconds, just one second ahead of new rider Brad Parke who was himself only four seconds ahead of third rider Jackson Law.

Matthew Last and Adam Watson tied for fourth at 24 seconds whilst Matthew Atkinson finished fifth in 28.

Poppy Watson, fuelled by her pb in the 500m time trial, decided to have a go at the hill climb too and recorded a very creditable 49.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed has indicated his willingness to present the Sport England Club Mark Accreditation certificate to VC Cumbria/Lakeland Sprinters on August 27.