THIS weekend saw the South West Cyclocross League celebrate the end of the season at their annual presentation evening.

Tavistock Wheelers Youth cyclists have had a great turnout throughout the eight rounds, with 31 youngsters from the club competing in the league - the biggest junior contingent of any club in the South West.

The races are held across the South West, from Falmouth up to Barnstaple and Dunster and across to Torbay and Escot Park in the east. Each course brings its own mix of multi-terrain hills, technical turns, mud, and in one case a barn to cycle through. Cyclists’ bike skills and endurance are certainly put to the test.

League placings are calculated on the best six results of the season, trophy winners included: U8 boys Alex Pearcy second, U10 girls Orla White first, Nell Maguire third, U12 girls Lara Dix third, U14 girls Orla Maguire third, U14 boys Ewan Dix second, U16 boys James Pearcy third; also U16 girls Rosie Andrews first who rides primarily for Pilgrim Flyers but also trains at Tavistock.

Dominic Stone was presented with a trophy for commitment in completing the entire series, and providing inspiration for their future cycling goals; Phil Collings of TWCC racing team, won the senior men’s trophy.

Tavistock’s young cyclists will now turn their attention to mountain biking and circuit racing with the racing season for both starting soon.

As of this month they will now be cycling as members of their new club, Dartmoor Velo - the new name for its former Go-Ride club for nine to 16 year-olds.

The club thank the Tavistock Wheelers Cycling Club for their support and backing for the Go-ride group - indeed many of their members continue to be involved in coaching and ride leader roles.

Jenny West, a spokespersons for Dartmoor Velo, said: ‘Many of our club members who were aged nine or 10 when they started are now teenagers and their interests and cycling aims have developed and diversified.

‘The club wants to be responsive and evolve to fulfil their needs, and the children themselves want to take a more active role and ownership of this growth.

‘A club ballot decided on the new name and the process of designing a new kit is well underway with the generous help of one of our ride leaders.

‘Amongst the exciting developments, several of our older members will shortly be attending a British Cycling Award for Young Volunteers Workshop, in preparation for developing volunteering roles across coaching, officiating and club management.’