"Podium" pictures

Something I want to get off my chest: -

Jack Finch, Jack Spicer and Matt Gater weren't allowed on British Cyclings advice to do 2hrs each in todays 6hr Enduro in a chipper race at Fowlmead.

British Cycling had the same youngsters out in the heat for 8hours at a National Schools of racing day at Pippingford last week. Also, when Alex, Michael and Max were on BC's Talent Team, they were actively encouraged to do the Sunday 2hr solo marathons that usually followed National Points Series races.

What gives BC the right to say what's good for these kids over their own parents, whilst at the same time themselves subjecting them to unreasonable demands on their time and energy? I deplore this nanny state approach that seeks to remove parenting from parents. Sheer bloody hypocrisy anyway.

I don't blame the Commissaire or Fowlmead, they were only following BC's advice.

I wouldn't have a problem if they actually applied the same constraints themselves. For example, I only ever prescribed 2 - 3 hour training rides for junior riders when I was coaching them. BC get hold of them and send them out on four hour rides on their own. There's just no joined up approach, but they lord it over us all. You might say I'm a bit miffed at their interference in our domestic affairs. Events like we have at Fowlmead don't need a BC Commissaire and they don't need their interference.

And that's from me who is a BC qualified coach and BC Regional Cyclo-Cross Commissaire.

The only thing that the races at Fowlmead need from BC (or some other organisation) is Event Insurance. Ignoring advice they have given could prejudice a claim, so Fowlmead are in a difficult position. I do believe however, that three youngsters who rode the 6hrs last year and came 5th overall, should have been allowed to race this year. Looks like they would have finished 4th this time, at least that's where they were after 4hours.

Richard Wood