Introduction We are proud to announce the details of the British Cycling North East Road Youth League 2016. As we are in an Olympic year, the Road Youth League 2016 is getting into the Olympic spirit and we have created a new look calendar of events with some special awards. The league is open to all youth riders in and outside the region. Please note there will be separate awards and podiums for both Male and Female entrants in each of the categories below: Category E - Under 8 until 31 st December in year of 8 th birthday Category D - Under 10 until 31 st December in year of 10 th birthday Category C - Under 12 until 31 st December in year of 12 th birthday Category B - Under 14 until 31 st December in year of 14 th birthday Category A - Under 16 until 31 st December in year of 16 th birthday We welcome entrants from youth riders with some road racing experience (including Go-Ride races) who are looking to step up to Regional racing. (There is an exception for the Regional Championship event which can only accept riders from the North East Region. Riders from outside the region may enter the race as part of the Road Youth League 2016 but cannot be awarded a position as part of the Regional Championships.) Programme for Competitors There is still an emphasis on racing skills within the league but we have also added a new range of events which will focus on awarding points for demonstrating bike handling skills. We hope this will encourage riders to enter the league even if they are not ready to enter Regional Racing or prefer the road skills to the racing aspect. There is a separate award for the winners of the skills events. Recognition for achievements is an important part of the league and we have planned a wide reaching Awards Evening which will be held in October 2016. (See the Recognition section overleaf for more details on the Awards on offer.)
Organisers We would like to thank all of the cycling clubs and groups who have offered to organise and host a youth race and be part of the Road Youth League 2016. The organisers conduct the events under 2016 British Cycling Rules and Regulations. Please be aware of recent changes to rules regarding wheel depth and spoke restrictions. Most events will be advertised on the British Cycling Events calendar where you can enter online. Most organisers will also allow an on the line entry but please check the BC events page or with the following organisers in advance: Cleveland Wheelers Stephen Binks sb1957@virginmedia.com Durham City Velo George Kinghorn info@durhamcityvelo.cc Houghton CC John Reid denevilla@btinternet.com Newcastle Phoenix Chris Orchard orchard_christopher@sky.com Prima Team Racing Iain Turnbull iainleafglade@hotmail.com Stockton Wheelers Michelle Kilcullen membership@stocktonwheelers.org.uk Speedflex RT Marcus Smith marcus@silverliningnutrition.co.uk Tyneside Vagabonds Martin Wells martinwells60@googlemail.com Velo29 Richard Williamson richard.williamson@velo29.co.uk The cost of entry will vary between each event. All entrance fees are determined by the organiser clubs and used to fund the cost of these events. Organisers make every effort to keep costs down for youth riders, however, some venues are more expensive than others hence causing a variation in entrance fees. Unfortunately, British Cycling North East Region has no influence over or financial benefit from the entrance fees for each event. Sponsorship Event Calendar Round Date Type of Event Venue Organiser R1 5 th March 2016 Race MSV SpeedflexRT R2 12 th March 2016 Race MSV SpeedflexRT R3 19 th March 2016 Race MSV SpeedflexRT S1 27 th March 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo R4 3 rd April 2016 Race County Hall Durham City Velo S2 10 th April 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo R5 24 th April 2016 Race MSV Tyneside Vags S3 1 st May 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo R6 2 nd May 2016 Race MSV Cleveland Wheelers R7 8 th May 2016 Race Hetton Houghton CC R8 14 th May 2016 Race Hetton Prima Team Racing R9 22 nd May 2016 Race TBC Newcastle Phoenix R10 12 th June 2016 Race Hetton Houghton CC R11 24 th June 2016 Race Stockton Stockton Wheelers S4 26 th June 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo R12 3 rd July 2016 Race County Hall Durham City Velo S5 10 th July 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo R13 17 th July 2016 Race Hetton Houghton CC R14 18 th July 2016 Race Bishop Auckland Velo29 R15 23 rd July 2016 Race Hetton Prima Team Racing R16 4 th Sept 2016 Race County Hall Durham City Velo S6 11 th Sept 2016 Skills Sniperley Park Durham City Velo P 1 st Oct 2016 Awards Evening Dance City BCNE We would like to thank our series sponsor for their support. Kudos Wealth have agreed to organise and subsidise the Awards Evening in addition to paying for all Jersey Awards. We would also like to thank the British Cycling North East Youth and Junior Development Forum for providing all medals and trophies. We hope to contribute back into that fund by selling special league hoodies. These will be made available for purchase at each event. All profits will be donated back into North East Youth and Junior Development Fund which supports riders at Inter Regional events and more.
Venues We have some familiar and some new venues in the Road Youth League 2016. Please find information below: Sniperley Park and Ride, Durham DH1 5RA Sniperley is the new training venue for Durham City Velo Cycling Club. They have kindly agreed to host the skills events at this location. Middlesbrough Sports Village, Cycle Circuit (MSV), Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3AE Many will be familiar with Prissick Cycle Circuit. This has now been developed into a sports village with excellent facilities. County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL Thanks again to George Kinghorn and Durham City Velo for securing this as a new race venue for 2016. Hetton Lyon Park, Hetton Le Hole, Tyne and Wear DH5 0RH This is one of the most popular venues for riders offering a longer more challenging circuit for youth riders. The Town Hall, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP We are delighted to have Velo29 s Bishop Auckland Town Crit race in the calendar again this year. Stockton Town Centre, TS18 1BG Host to the National Championships, we look forward to an exciting Crit race for youths as part of an exciting weekend of races. Skills Events This is a new part of the league, as recognition that bike handling skills are an integral and essential part of rider development. We want to recognise those riders who focus on this part of their development. Each skills event (riders must complete 4 out of 6) contains 3 separate assessments. (Note: The rider must use their chosen racing bike.) Each assessment will give riders the opportunity to test their skills against the following: 1. Slalom course designed to test a rider s ability to accurately manoeuvre a road bike around a set course of obstacles, against the clock. The course will be approximately 15m in length with obstacles set out to create a course. If any obstacles are knocked down, a 30 second time penalty is applied for each one. Those who complete the correct course in the fastest time will be the winner and points awarded: 1 st 10 points, 2 nd 9 points, through to 10 th 1 point 2. Agility course designed to test a rider s agility and dexterity whilst riding a road bike. The rider must successfully complete a course containing obstacles and tasks, against the clock. If any obstacles or tasks are omitted or not completed fully, a 30 second time penalty will apply. Those who complete the correct course in the fastest time will be the winner and points awarded: 1 st 10 points, 2 nd 9 points, through to 10 th 1 point 3. Track stand designed to test the rider s ability to balance on a road bike. The rider will enter a chalked area and will need to stay on their bike within the area without touching the ground with their feet. Small movements are permitted. If a foot touches the floor or the bike leaves the area, the clock is stopped (if 3 mins are achieved the rider will be asked to remove 1 hand from the handlebars. If a further 1 min is achieved, the rider will be asked to remove both hands from the handlebars). Those who maintain balance within the area the longest will be the winner and points awarded: 1 st 10 points, 2 nd 9 points, through to 10 th 1 point Note: Riders may choose not to wear cycling shoes for the skills events. The points from the 3 assessments at each event will be combined and the final positions will be determined as shown in the scoring section for the skills part of the league.
Scoring System The Road Youth League 2016 points system is shown below. We have doubled the opportunity to score on skills, to give riders recognition in this important part of road racing and to reflect the BCNE Strategy for developing bike handling skills. Individual league points and BC Points can be accumulated as follows: Position Race Events League Points BC Points (A + B Cat only where there is 10+ entrants) BC Points (A + B Cat only where there is <10 entrants) Skills Events Position League Points 1 st Place 10 10 3 1 st Place 20 2 nd Place 9 9 2 2 nd Place 18 3 rd Place 8 8 1 3 rd Place 16 4 th Place 7 7 4 th Place 14 5 th Place 6 6 5 th Place 12 6 th Place 5 5 6 th Place 10 7 th Place 4 4 7 th Place 8 8 th Place 3 3 8 th Place 6 9 th Place 2 2 9 th Place 4 10 th Place 1 1 10 th Place 2 Note: No BC points will be allocated at the skills events. Club/Coach Points In addition to the above individual points, riders can also earn points for their Club/Team. Every entry into a league event (skills and races), qualifies for 1 point for the club or Team the rider belongs to. These points are accumulated on behalf of each club and a total is calculated at the end of the league. The club with the most points at the end of the league wins the Best Club and Coach Award. The reason we have introduced this award is explained in more detail under the Recognition section. Recognition We have tried to capture the true spirit of the league by recognising rider achievements across a wider context than just coming over the line first. When riders have an opportunity to feel confident, achieve success, and gain recognition, this leads to increased fun and enjoyment of cycling. Event Podiums Organising clubs will be holding podium recognition slots for each category both Male and Female at each event in the league. Organisers will present either certificates, medals or prizes (at the discretion and cost of the organiser). Awards Evening There will be an end of league awards evening on 1 st October 2016 at Dance City in Newcastle upon Tyne, 6pm-9pm. The subsidised ticket price will be 5 for youth riders and 10 for adults - includes a buffet and award presentation for the following: 1. Skills Event (Must complete 4 events best 4 scores taken. No racing is required but includes skills points from those in Combined Event.) Annual Trophies (engraved and retained for 1 year) and medals awarded to: Male 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st Female 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st Medals awarded: Male 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th Female 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th
2. Combined Event (Must complete 10 races and 4 skills events and in the event of a draw, skills points will determine the winner) Annual Trophies and medals awarded to: Male 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st Female 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st 1 st Medals awarded: Male 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th Female 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 2 nd 10 th 3. Special Jersey Awards There are a number of jersey awards we would like to present to both Male and Female riders. These awards are issued to the rider who obtains the highest score, regardless of age category, for the following criteria. However, riders can only qualify, nominate or vote for these awards if they have completed a minimum of 4 skills events and 10 race events. a. Yellow Jersey winner This Jersey goes to the male and female rider across all age categories that obtains the most Combined League points (must complete at least 10 race events and 4 skills events). b. Green Jersey winner This Jersey goes to the rider with the best sporting attitude. We want to encourage a supportive environment for young riders to compete alongside each other. This can mean many things, including helping younger or less experienced riders and cheering them along. Nominations are taken from all qualifying league riders. The male and female riders with the most nominations will be awarded the Jersey. c. Polka Dot Jersey This Jersey goes to the most improved rider as nominated by their club coach. All nomination forms from qualifying riders (1 male and 1 female rider from each club) are presented to British Cycling North East Board Members where a vote will take place and a male and female overall winner selected. d. White Jersey This Jersey goes to the Best Club and Coach with the most entry points accumulated across race and skills events. Every rider, entered for each round earns 1 point for their team/club regardless of their position in the event or the number of events entered. All the entry points are added together and the team/club with the most points wins the Best Club and Coach Jersey. This is an important award for all riders who are part of a motivated and dedicated club. Clubs who have developed and coached young riders with the skills and confidence needed to race at regional level are a valuable part of the region and should be recognised as such. 4. Regional Champions Awards Annual Trophies (engraved and retained for 1 year) awarded to: Male 1 st 1 st 1 st Female 1 st 1 st 1 st A BCNE Regional Champions jersey given to all winners, which can be worn during the league in the following year only and then retained thereafter. (Note: If there is a total of less than 10 riders who qualify - with 10 races and 4 skills events - we will drop down to the next best finishing scores until we have 10 winners.)
Results and Updates There is a dedicated Facebook page for the Road Youth League 2016 and a website www.neyl.co.uk (currently under development). The Road Youth League 2016 Committee encourage parents to actively monitor and challenge the results to ensure the correct scores are kept. Would like to thank all of the organiser clubs for hosting youth events for the Road Youth League 2016. We will post an email address where you can send any questions to the committee in private. We are all human and can make mistakes but the important thing is we publish the correct results for the young riders. Volunteers There are many ways for volunteers to get involved and help out with the league. Each event is organised by clubs who manage their own volunteers. The event organisers may need help with any one or more of the following: Sign on, Marshalls, First Aid, Gear Checks, Commentators, Commissaires etc. Please contact the organisers direct on the emails shown, if you can offer any help with race or skills events. We have a small group of volunteers forming a Road Youth League 2016 Committee. We have some vacancies for more volunteers: Keith Atkinson League Organiser Michelle Kilcullen League Adviser Jane Wilson League Adviser Keith Atkinson Slalom Skills Assessor George Kinghorn Track Stand Skills Assessor Andy Samanjoul Agility Skills Assessor Vacant - Skills marker(s) For scoring Fiona Lutz - Results Co-ordinator George Kinghorn - Social Media and Website Updates Vacant Award Evening Co-ordinator Lewis Dobbing, Arthur Thompson - Photographer(s) her volunteers are John Davison Commentator (when not racing himself and if available) Vacant - Editor(s) For writing commentary on each race for social media We would welcome interest from all ages, including youth volunteers, who have a skills or enthusiasm in any of the above roles.