BMX - Rockets spring ahead

Royston Rockets BMX Racing Club travelled to Norwich for the first event of the summer, the East Anglian Spring Classic, on Sunday. The chill factor and heavy showers gave the riders thoroughly unpleasant conditions in which to race. More than 100 riders from around the country took part, and despite the weather the good condition of the track made for some very competitive racing. The club's newest members were competing in the nine-and-under novice class, where Jasia Blanche showed great potential as she battled against the wind and rain to take third overall just ahead of fellow club members Ted Dalleywater in fourth and Oliver Snelling, fifth, both taking part in their first regional level race meeting. Moving into the expert classes the Rockets had Daniel Blanche competing in the six-and-under class, where he finished second, while in the seven-eight-year class Ethan Lewis took fourth place, Aaron Dalleywater was sixth, and Bradan Blanche eighth. In the nine-10 year group, Louis Burton finished fifth, just ahead of team mate Kyle Gutteridge, while in the 11-12 class Ben Gutteridge took a fine third, with Aston Blanche fourth. Following his younger brothers' example, Wayne Gutteridge took third in the 13-14 class, with Antony Taylor fifth. The Rockets' other female rider, Katie Roberts, decided to take on the 15-16 male class where she finished in a creditable seventh. And her brother Jonathan was eighth in the 17+ class which was combined with the master class to give the older riders more experience. The classes were split out after the racing, which left Royston's only masterclass rider, Richard Townsend, taking third after a race long battle with other top class national competitors. The next event on the race calendar is the first round of the East Anglia Summer Series at Milton Keynes on April 23, where the Rockets will be out to gain points towards their regional rankings and to qualify for the British Championships in September.