BMX - Townsend is in top form for Rockets

RICHARD Townsend led the way for Royston Rockets with the runners-up spot in the masterclass category when the club travelled to Ipswich on Sunday.

In the final round of the Regional BMX Race Series, Rockets' riders were out in force to gain points to grab the final points towards their regional rankings and qualification to the British Championship later this month.

The threatened rain running up to the event relented on Sunday and the conditions were overcast with a high wind facing the riders along two of the straights, which made racing especially difficult for the younger classes.

The Rockets had 16 riders taking part, with the youngest riders in the six-and-under class, where Daniel Blanche took third and Jasia Blanche finished fourth, just ahead of Ted Dalleywater in fifth.

In the seven-eight year class all three Rockets made the final, where Aaron Dalleywater took a fine win, which impressed the judges enough to also award him with the Rider of the Day trophy, and team mate Bradan Blanche took fourth chased home by Ethan Lewis in fifth.

Moving up to the 9-10 year group both Rockets made the main final with James Handleigh emulating Townsend with second place, while Louis Burton finished fourth.

The 11-12 year class final saw Zach Stevens finish third with Ben Gutteridge taking fourth just ahead of Aston Blanche in sixth.

In the 13-14 year class, Wayne Gutteridge finished in third and Anthony Taylor took fourth overall in the class.

Representing the girls, Katie Roberts, who races in the male 15-16 class to improve her race skills, took fourth.

The cruiser classes also generated good results for the Rockets, with Paul Bateman taking second ahead of Leroy Seaton in third in the 40+ class.

With the summer season drawing to a close, the next event on the race calendar is the British Championship over the weekend of the September 16/17 at Harworth, followed one week later by the Regional Championships at Braintree.