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Best Improved Rider 2003
This rider has come from nowhere to be a really determined rider - he’s so determined, that he is almost unnoticeable, because he is getting on with the job. Once he had got his PPVelo kit he really started to do well. However it is not just his results, it is the way he goes about all of his cycling. Quiet determined. cheerful. and will be fast! Does not seem to complain about anything, I’ll have to work him harder. Recently fell twice on the Newport Velodrome, and then fell no more.
To go from an unknown quantity to a big hitter requires not just strength or technique, but a hunger and a desire to win. Perhaps he is a little tactically raw, but he has got rid of the fear and doubt which keeps most riders glued to the wheel. He has just started in self-belief , that he can attack as well. His focus on that record attempt, when he came back after the session to have a crack at it and put it on another level shows that he has a mental strength to go with his increasing physical ability. He was always quite good, but now has become very good.
She has enjoyed fixed wheel riding for the first time this year, to the point that she took part in the Monday Night Racing at Reading. I know she prefers the fixed wheel sessions, but needs to enjoy both. Last year my ending comment for this young lady was :- I feel sure she would improve even more if she raced regularly next year. She did, and has. Broken the Girls U12’s club record for 200m by ¾ of a second.
This riders name has been mentioned by a lot of people this year. So I am not alone in recognising the achievements this rider has made. This rider has a lot of potential, but we will all have to wait a while to see if that’s right. Meanwhile his application and progress have been a pleasure to watch, a lesson to us all. Nominated last year and probably will be nominated many times more.
There is something very gratifying about nominating this rider, because as we like to recognise improvement, sometimes the smallest but continuing improvements, tend to go unnoticed. This rider is happy to plug on and do his thing with the minimum of fuss and it is easy at Palmer Park to share in the success of the club. He has started to put the power on and he has given some of the top A cat riders a hard time on the Saturday Race Days He has been nominated as recognition of his improved efforts for the year.
This little rider came to our club this year. She has learnt to ride a bike on two wheels and now races on it. She gives 100% in every race she does, and this is usually smiling. This little rider has style & finesse, mark my words she will do well in the cycling world. Her brother is already up here as a nominee. Became this year the U8 girls Mountain Bike Champion and still only 4½ yrs old.
He has shown tremendous determination throughout the year and has steadily improved, but his improvement has come in a unique area, inventing tricks and devising devilish skills courses with a handful of cones. His recent return to fixed wheel, following his terrifying accident was a momentous achievement for him. Having realised the only way to conquer his fear was to get back on a track bike and ride. That is exactly what he did and needs to do more to finally conquer that fear.
Unfortunately this rider has to live in the shadow of the elder brother. Fortunately for him, though he has a natural ability to improve, because of his eagerness to practice and practice. Because he practices different exercises until he masters them, the only way that he is going, is up. This ability show's up in the improvement in his placings during races throughout this season. If he keeps this dedication and desire to learn, he should go far.
She has quietly emerged from under her brother's shadow. A year ago she was easily distracted, often sitting out races, practicing dance routines. Now she is developing competitive steel. She wants to win. She is not afraid to grind out the opposition with long lone breaks. Has realized that she can dominate a race if she wants to.
Where most club members have a natural ability to ride a bike and progress their skills. This rider has to work hard at improving his bike handling skills. He has proven to me that he is capable of progressing with his bike riding, ( and willingness to learn ), just the fact he is a regular attendee at club events. Competed in nearly all of the club championship events. I still owe him his bronze certificate for 1 lap, once Graham gives me his time. His confidence as a bike rider is growing and therefore his ability's will grow accordingly.
This rider has improved this year not only physically but mentally as well. He knows he’s good at the sprint, so always does well at it. Recently I have seen him do well in a distance race. Riders that normally beat him, struggled. He came out on top. His sister has been nominated as well. Looking forward to see what he can achieve next year.
A National Champion, beating people in the process who kept her off the podium last year. Winning the National Jersey for the U14’s A member of the Talent Team and winner of this award a couple of years ago. Enough said.
He keeps getting better, from a high initial base. He is an enthusiastic attacker, and has fantastic bike skills. He is also very supportive and helpful to other riders. He has become a very responsible club member. Has represented his club all over the country, makes other riders in the race want to know where he is all of the time. Achieved his goal that he set last year, to become ranked, No 1 U12 boy in the country.
Hands up if you can remember the 1st time you rode a bike? Keep them up if you can remember the 1st time you rode at Palmer Park? Keep them up if you can also remember the 1st time you rode a bike with drop handlebars? Finally keep them up if you can remember the 1st time you took part in your 1st race? Now then, think hard, did you complete all this in 4 weeks, if so keep your hands up. If we are talking about improvement this is a rider who has made the most dramatic. Winner (Chris Bradbury) A year ago this rider was one of the pack, and didn’t stand out at all. They have made fantastic progress in the last year, and now this rider is becoming a clear race winner. He didn’t do very well at the skills competition earlier in the year, but knows his weakness and has been working on it. He can be a bit of a whinger if things don’t go accordingly, but his age has a lot to do with that. He needs to work on his mental attitude as well on the physical side of cycling. Get the combination right and he could be a really serious contender in later life. So impressed this year with his determination to better his riding ability, all 5 judges were unanimous in choosing him as the Best Improved Rider for 2003.
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Last Updated ~ Sunday July 20, 2008 Email : Webmaster |