Best Improved Riders 2005
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David Ellis
This little lad can be seen going round and round the velo, quietly, unlike his older brother. Slowly but surely gaining confidence, strength and control on a bike. Starting from never having ridden a drop handle bar bike, he has taken to both free and then fixed wheel with ease. His trade mark wobble when being over taken, is now almost gone, and is being replaced by a determination not to be overtaken. Still has a lot to learn, but if he continues to work as hard as he has this year he has the potential to go far in the world of cycling.
Older brother John, look out
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Emma Pitt
This rider has always shown determination in her riding, she has stamina and talent that would be impressive for a much older rider. She has persevered with nothing more notable than her cheeky smile, until you look back and see the improvements she has made.
She has fallen off less this year, but has instead gone faster than any rider of her age in the history of the club.
A clean sweep of the u8 girls championships, and the youngest rider ever to achieve a bronze certificate . She was deservedly nominated last year, and has continued to improve and therefore deserves nomination this year as well.
A rider that will aspire to great highs, maybe another Beryl Berton (for the oldies) or Nicole Cook (for the youngsters) in the making.
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Sam Serruya
The figures do the talking, winner of the u16 league at Calshot whilst 14, winner of the Under 16 league at Reading, despite being 15 only halfway through the season, and not riding in the last half of the season so he could take on the adults. Winning the first race against the adults and finishing 4th in the adult league (despite not riding the first half of the season because he was still racing the U16s! Setting new records for the 1 lap and the 200m and getting a platinum twice.
On top of that he actually wants to be at the track on a Saturday morning, because he enjoys helping and motivating the younger riders.
Recently been invited to join the British Talent Team.
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Emma Patterson
This member wasn’t even riding a bike a year ago. And when an older rider arrives at the club it can be a real daunting experience to be beaten by smaller and younger riders. And beaten by them she was. But something about her has stood out from the crowd - perseverance and dogged determination. No fuss, no drama, just sheer effort, and it has paid off. She has risen through the Saturday League faster than any other rider. She is now in the top group and surprising many of them. She trains hard and races harder, and should be an example to all riders in the club.
Starting the season ranked as a C cat, and by week 7 of the Saturday series she was racing as an A cat.
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Frazier Carr
I have wanted to nominate this rider for a number of years and despite his good work, has always been eclipsed by other more deserving riders, but not this year.
He has applied himself more and tackled more challenging objectives, now regularly races on Monday nights and consequently performing on a higher level.
A Palmer Park Velo team member of the best youth pursuit squad at the Reading track league.
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Lara Wann
This rider was nominated last year for this award. She was and still is an extremely classy and talented rider. She was heralded as a future National Champion, and that pressure alone would have put many riders off. Not her, she rose to the challenge and did as she was predicted to. Won the national pursuit championships at Newport this year, and set a new national record for 200 metres., but instead of letting her fame affect her she is using it wisely to help and motivate younger riders.
She is very talented rider on the ODP squad and that’s where she is today.
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Jack Smith
Absent for a while, and missed by many, this rider made a welcome comeback this year, and very pleased we all were.
But the rider, who had returned, did not resemble the rider we all remembered, this rider was stronger, more determined and faster.
He also started turning up on Monday nights and other races and whilst he will admit that he has had to work hard, he is twice the rider I remember.
A different bike and a poodle named Percy, may well have helped somewhere.
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Jamie Fooks
A rider, who listens, a rider determined to improve a rider who is extremely motivated and eager to show his worth, just got better and better.
This rider lacks confidence from within, but once he can realise and understand what he is achieving and achieved, will aspire and match the best of them. It takes time, work hard, focus, be patient, most important enjoy and have fun.
He has shaved off 8 secs in 6 months for his one lap time, nearing his bronze award.
Gonna miss him, good luck in Canada, and fly the Palmer Park banner, with pride
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Chris Legg
This award is for improvement, and this young man has been making continuous improvements to his fluid riding style and his attitude. Sometimes the small but continuing improvements tend to go unnoticed, but can be the hardest to achieve. This quiet rider is always in the thick of the action, as one of our younger A cat riders, he may not win all the races, but he makes damned sure the older riders have to work very hard, all the time. He has also shown a new level of maturity this year and has become a significant contributor to the special relationship that exists between all the clubs riders. He can almost go unnoticed at training sessions but he is guaranteed to give 110% to any task he is given.
From attacking a big field of national ranked riders in road races, or looking after and mentoring young riders during training exercises.
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Emily Hogge
This young lady was steadily improving until around the middle of the year, when she suddenly started to accelerate and accelerate, there seems no stopping her now.
She will now try mountain biking by coming to the lookout, and racing in our mountain bike club championships, something she was not keen to do last year.
Pushing the club records even lower, for both the 200M and 1 lap, and setting even tougher standards for the younger girls to chase.
She has achieved gold standard in both the 200m and 1 lap distances. Knocking at the door of the Talent Team.
Recently became a Madison instructor from her experiences at Newport
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Cameron Swarbrick
Got his bronze standard in 1 lap freewheel, and silver in 200m this year.
Competed in the RTL, & BC Track events around the country this year, doing his best & not giving up.
Proved to be a good team member on a race day. Less temper tan trums this year, but still blames his dad for anything that goes wrong.
He has started to mature so much, enjoying cycling, being part of the club. He will offer any off his cycling equipment to any of his PPV friends if needed.
Winner of the Under 12’s PPV attendance points.
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Martha McAllister
Has achieved the Bronze standard for the 1 lap and 200m distances. Third fastest U12 girl in the 1 lap on freewheel.
In the top 10 for the U12’s current attendance standings this year.
Won the PPV club champs sprint final, the look of determination on her face as she came up to the finish line, she wanted gold, and gold she got!
Started to ride fixed wheel at the club on Saturday morning, she is enjoying this and coming on well with track riding.
Her next goal I hope is to ride Calshot in February.
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Hugh Chadwick
This rider has improved by sheer enjoyment of the sport. Attends many events and more times than not gets lapped time and time again by the big boys. This can be very demoralising for many a rider, not him.
Many riders could learn from this rider on how to cope with defeat. Its not defeat each time he loses. He sees it has competing for fun. That’s what its all about.
Recently I watched him compete in a local MTB race. A year ago he couldn’t manoeuvre around minor obstacles without a problem. Well watching him go through one of the most hardest technical sections of the circuit, was a joy to watch. Many seniors can’t do it, but he did, and did with style.
Constantly laughs at me, and with me.
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John Ellis
Well, what can I say about this one. He’s by far not quiet, but confidence flows from him, nearly as much as words.
Joins in with everything, even when not asked.
He is a strong competitor with others, no matter what age they are. Has improved vastly over this last year.
Even encouraged his younger brother and probably his older sister as well to take up cycling.
He went to extreme lengths, and height, to get an arial view of the circuit at the Midlands Youth Tour.
His younger brother is already up here.
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Sarah Benson
This rider is mature in her own right. She has got the bug to ride her bike, a second lease of life. Since then it has opened up another world to explore.
She was encouraged by a young lady early in the year to take up fixed wheel riding. It has changed her way of life and now realises that there is no such thing as a diet. Eats more than she used to, and still loses weight, what a bonus. Her clothes need replacing for smaller sizes, as her jeans just keep slipping down.
Hard work, fun, laughter, sweat, pain, brings rewards I think we all want, fitness, health, confidence, not being dropped on mountain bike rides. Being beaten by u8s and 10’s no more, Confidence to ride Calshot.
She wants to race next season, but has already been racing during training sessions.
Recently cracked the 100mile barrier for a weeks training.
All this and she has a full time job, a family to look after, and the hardest task of all to look after and put up with her coach, me.
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Winner Emma Patterson
It can be difficult to remain focussed and motivated, when despite your enthusiasm and best intentions you get repeatedly beaten by aggressive 12 year olds.
Also equally frustrating that when competing with your peers, you experience the same grilling.
Seemingly unfazed, not scared to tackle big events, or new challenges, willing to suffer, and still come back for more.
Her desire to race is now getting the better of her and I’m sure she will be pushing the other more established riders much harder next season. As the miles in her legs grow, and the bike skills and race tactics really start to help her get the best from herself.
What a change a year has made to this young lady.