LAURENCE Mapp and Richard Townsend led the way for Royston Rockets as they hosted the seventh and penultimate round of the Regional BMX Race Series at Burns Road. Mapp finished second in the Masterclass category, two places ahead of team-mate Townsend, wi

LAURENCE Mapp and Richard Townsend led the way for Royston Rockets as they hosted the seventh and penultimate round of the Regional BMX Race Series at Burns Road.

Mapp finished second in the Masterclass category, two places ahead of team-mate Townsend, with fellow Rocket Jonathan Roberts finishing eighth.

Rockets riders were out in force to gain points for their regional rankings and qualification to the British Championship, in September.

This was also an opportunity for the newer members of the club to taste the atmosphere of a larger event and many took the opportunity to compete in the novice classes.

The heavy rain relented on Sunday and the conditions were good for racing, with only one shower to spoil the day.

The Rockets had more than 30 riders taking part with almost a third of those in the novice classes, which were led off by the under-nines with George Bracewell first just ahead of team-mates Jake Murley and Loui Foreman.

Moving up to the 10-13 novice class, Jack Bracewell took the runners-up spot, with Harry Bracewell seventh.

In the 14+ novices, Royston's Andy Murley matched his brother by finishing second.

The expert classes were next on track with the youngest riders in the under-seven class where Daniel Blanche collected a well-earned win, with Oliver Snelling, Jasia Blanch and Ted Dalleywater finishing in the top six.

In the seven-eight year class, all four Rockets made the main A final, where Ethan Lewis raced home in first place, with team-mates Aaron Dalleywater third, Zak Foreman fifth and Bradan Blanche in sixth.

In the 9-10 year group, both Rockets made the main final with James Handleigh taking a fine win, followed over the line by Louis Burton in fourth spot.

The 11-12 year class final saw Ben Gutteridge finish fourth, just ahead of Aston Blanche and Zach Stevens, while in the 13-14 year class, Wayne Gutteridge finished third and Anthony Taylor took fifth overall in the class.

Representing the girls, Katie Roberts, who races in the male 15-16 class to improve her race skills, took sixth, and in the very competitive 17+ class, Lee Alexander took the win in the B final.

The Cruiser classes also some good results from the Rockets with Danny Bateman taking the win in the 13-16 year class.

James Dalleywater finished fourth in the 17-29 class as did Darren Foreman in the 30-39 class, and Leroy Seaton went one better with a third in the 40+ class.

- For more information about Royston Rockets, phone 01763 260959 or log on to www.roystonrockets.co.uk .