SUNDAY saw the Royston Rockets BMX Racing Club competing in the first round of the East Anglia BMX Summer Series. Although this was meant to be the summer season, the weather was cold and the threat of rain made for less than ideal racing conditions. Alm

SUNDAY saw the Royston Rockets BMX Racing Club competing in the first round of the East Anglia BMX Summer Series.

Although this was meant to be the summer season, the weather was cold and the threat of rain made for less than ideal racing conditions.

Almost 150 riders took part and the good track condition made for some very competitive racing.

The Rockets had riders in many of the classes with the club's newest members in the nine-and-under novice class, where all four made the main A final.

Mason Palmer, showing great potential in his first race, managed to take an excellent second just ahead of fellow first-timer Zak Foreman. Oliver Snelling was sixth and youngest of the club pack Ted Dalleywater seventh.

Moving into the expert classes, the Rockets had Daniel Blanche in the six-and-under class where he finished second, while in the 7-8 year class A final Ethan Lewis took sixth place. In the same class B final, Aaron Dalleywater took the win and Bradan Blanche was fifth.

In the 9-10 year group, both Rockets made the A final with James Handleigh sixth and Louis Burton eighth.

In the 11-12 class, Zach Stevens took fourth in the A final just inches ahead of team-mate Ben Gutteridge while Aston Blanche was fourth in the class B final.

In the 13-14 class, Antony Taylor won the B final and the Rockets' only female rider on the day, Katie Roberts, took on the 15-16 years male class where she finished fourth in the B final.

The 17+ category was combined with the master class to give the older riders more experience and the classes split out after the racing, which left Royston's only 17+ rider, Lee Alexander taking second with Masterclass riders Richard Townsend third and Jonathan Roberts seventh after a mid-race incident on the wet surface.

Rockets' own summer series starts this week with their regular Tuesday night sessions at the club's track in Burns Road, Royston and on Saturday, May 6, the club is holding a "come and try" BMX racing session at 2pm where anyone with a BMX or MTB bike can try the track or even take part in some races.

Visit the club website at www.roystonrockets.co.uk, or ring 01763 260959 for more information on BMX racing.