After a busy season competing in regional, national and international road races, crits and time trials our Jim Ridler Bursay recipiants Charlie, Jorgie and Scarlett report on the highlights of their 2025 seasons. They've all put a huge effort into develoing their talents over the summer and getting those Stratford CC jerseys visible far and wide.

Charlie

U16 for me was a big jump, I was a bit frightened to be honest. But after some early season racing at Hillingdon and Curborough with some good results, I gradually felt at ease with the longer races and higher pace. The majority of races that I did this season were part of the West Regional Championship in which I ended up finishing 4th, but also some National races at Pembrey and the North West Youth Tour. The competition was really strong in these events, but I was happy with a best position in my first year of U16s of 60th of 93 at the NWYT.

Before the outdoor season started, my first U16 races were indoors at Derby. This even gave me a first U16 win and 10 BC points, when I attacked in a scratch race and managed to hold on - a first indoor victory!

The West Regional championship which was a big step up compared to last year as I was now mixed with some of the older boys, who had clearly done a lot of training, which gave me a good challenge. None the less, this challenge made me want to train harder and harder. Overall I finished 4th in west regionals which I was quite happy with but something I did learn was to definitely conserve more energy and not do too much work on the front.

The national race in Morecambe (NWYT) was overall positive. Unfortunately I did encounter some bad luck with my chain coming of twice on the hilly race and once on the race around Lancaster university. Despite those setbacks I was happy with my position especially on a very fast final stage, but definitely a lot more improvement is needed on the hills.

I have also joined the club Tuesday bash sessions riding in group 1 and have taken part in club time trials this year.

Thank you Stratford CC for the bursary. It gave me some great opportunities and some experiences that I can learn from.

- Charlie

Jorgie

This was a hard season. First year in under 14’s, the increase in race duration was a shock. Unfortunately I experienced a lot of knee pain which was diagnosed early July as patellar tendon-apathy. I have had shockwave therapy to rebuild the tendons around the patella and follow up daily exercises.

I took my first ever trip to a European race which was a real eye opener, but a huge learning curve. I experienced my first ever crash on day one and this did knock my confidence but I continued to give it my all over the remaining days. Overall I loved the experience and looking forward to going back next year. I feel I can take a lot from what I learnt this year to help with my preparation for next year’s event.

This season I was 3rd overall for the Tour De l’Avenir weekend event. The TT was my favourite event of that weekend, where I claimed 2nd place.

For the West Midlands league I was overall 2nd place and currently am in 1st place for the central league. I also managed to race in two national series races at Hillingdon and Hog Hill placing 17th in both races.

Despite being injured I am really happy with my results. I would like to thank Stratford for the bursary towards costs for me to take part in events.

- Jorgie

Scarlett

I’m really proud to have been given the bursary award from Stratford CC. This has allowed me to race 6 national races this year, and at a regional level in the West Midlands and Mallory park circuit series.

I raced 7 out of 9 rounds in the West Mids series coming 2nd three times and 1st four times including winning the regional championships which was one of my goals for this season. As a team, SCC to come 3rd in the overall team standings.

My first national of the year was Pembrey down in Wales. I came 28th overall. Stage 1 was a prologue where I came 30th which I was disappointed in. Stage 2, I came 27th and for stage 3 I was 28th. The weekend didn't go to plan and wasn't the results I was looking for but a few good things to take away and knowing where I need to improve. It was hard racing with my knee injury still paying up which led me to pulling out of RSR the following day and a couple of days off the bike. The following national at Scarborough was a major highlight of my road season coming 17th. This course really suited me with the hill ranging from 5% to 16%. Hog hill was another positive, yet frustrating race coming 21st. I managed to stay in the main group for the first half of the race until the fastest lap of the race spat me out of the back. I ended up in a little group with no-one really working with me. Still, I was happy with the outcome considering it was very hot. Wyke in Yorkshire was a vey rainy and wet race where I came 23rd. It was my first time racing in this type of conditions and on cobbles. I had lots of fun during this race.

Another goal of mine for the road session was to come in the top 3 in GC in the Tour de l’Avenir West Midlands. The weather was hot and there was confusion over previous stage results which led us to race without knowing where we sat in GC and time gaps between riders. I was really happy to have won overall with a 3 second gap to 2nd place. I came 2nd in the TT with a 3 second gap to 1st, stage 2 was a circuit race with bonus seconds up to grab. I finished the stage with a win and 16 bonus seconds which kept me in 2nd by 1 second. Stage 3 was a road race around Fen End JLR and coming into this I was in the leaders jersey due to confusion of the results and no time gaps to the other riders. This led to me knowing I had to win the stage overall and win the prime laps for bonus seconds. With the help of Jorgie who gave me a lead out for the primes and race win I managed to win the stage and 18 bonus seconds which allowed me to win the tour overall.

The Mallory park series only had 6 rounds this year due to it starting later in the season. I raced 5/6 rounds, with me being the only under 16 girl I had won the series overall by just taking part. Last season I won Queen of Mallory Park and I wanted to do the same this year. Being the only girl racing again, I had already won and, I managed to stay with the boys for the first part of the race before I got dropped on the down hill but still happy with my performance.

My final youth race was the North West Youth Tour and my main goal of the season. Stage 1 was a prologue up and down the promenade that put me in the top half in 22nd. Stage 2 was a road race around Daisy Bank Hill. I came 19th putting me 20th on GC. Stage 3 was a circuit race round Lancaster Uni. I stayed with the main bunch the whole race till my chain came off with one lap to go. I only lost 30 seconds but it cost me a couple of places on GC. Really happy with 21st overall which is a massive improvement from last year.

If I wasn’t racing at Mallory Park, I did the bash with the club which really helped me improve my race results. I also did the club TT beating my times from last year and breaking 3 junior records and 1 women’s record.

Thank you for Stratford CC for the bursary allowing me to race at a high level.

- Scarlett