THE third round of the East Anglia BMX Region Winter Series took place last Sunday at Royston Rockets BMX Club. The racing attracted over 90 riders from across the region although many stayed at home because of the earlier weather forecasts which indicate

THE third round of the East Anglia BMX Region Winter Series took place last Sunday at Royston Rockets BMX Club.

The racing attracted over 90 riders from across the region although many stayed at home because of the earlier weather forecasts which indicated rain showers throughout the event.

The day dawned overcast but dry with a few sunny periods which gave good conditions for the riders on a track that had drained well and was riding as well as ever with only one short rain shower between the semi-finals and finals to spoil the day.

For the Winter Series, novice and expert riders compete together to gain points for their series rankings which adds extra interest for the riders and spectators alike.

Royston's two female riders at the event got their team off to a flying start with Harriott Alexander choosing to ride with the under-seven boys where she took seventh in the Class B final whilst Ella Tomsett took third in the under-10 girls' class.

The male riders also had a series of good results and in the under-seven male class Alfie Salmon took second in the main final and the eight-to-ten male class Royston's Myles Fisher was first and Daniel Blanche second in the Class A final, while in the Class B final Benjamin Mansfield took fifth and Marmaduke Birt finished seventh.

Nate Ridgewell and Archie York took second and third respectively in the Class C event.

The Rockets took another podium position in the 11-13 year category where Ethan Vernon took second in the Class A final while teammate Matthew Harris took seventh in the B final.

In the 14-16 year category James Handleigh finished third with Andrew Brooker in sixth in the Class A final, while new club rider Max Jenkins won the Class B final.

The over-17s Class saw Lee Carrick finish fourth and in the over-30s class Royston's Darren Foreman took first place.

The final riders for the Rockets competing in the over-17s Cruiser Class were Carl Birt, who was fourth, and Matt Salmon, who finished sixth.

Round four of the series takes place on January 17 at Codham Park BMX Club but before then the Rockets have a round of their own Winter Series programme on December 27, with registration closing at 12pm.

The Rockets have just received accreditation from the sport's governing body British Cycling that the club has met the criteria to achieve Go-Ride (Sport England) Clubmark status.

The club can now use the Clubmark logo on any material relating to the club and its activities demonstrating to prospective participants the club's high standards of operations.

Full details of forthcoming club and regional events will be published soon on the club web site www.roystonrockets.co.uk

For more information call (01763) 260959.