Every year, kids from all over the world converge on the Dutch town to battle it out over 5 days of road racing. It’s the pinnacle of junior cycle racing. Competitors have travelled from the UK, all over Europe, Australia, Hong Kong and many more. Representing Stratford CC were Nathan and Benedict (Cat. 4), Jorgie (Cat. 5) and Aidan (Cat. 7)

Day 1

A wet start for the earlier races drying up then a few light showers for some in the later races. The race took the riders around a closed road circuit in Assen. Cat 7 Aidan was first off, finishing a strong 25th in the main bunch, meanwile Nathan came 5th and Benedict 20th in cat. 4. Cat 5 Jorgie ended in a ditch with someone on-top of her and a broken wheel. A neutral car supplied a new wheel and Jorgie continued managing to finish 13th (mechanical dispensation).

Day 2

A narrow start lots of straights with some light drizzle - heavy rain - and some sunny spells. Jorgie went off in Cat 5 and came back safe gaining a place in GC, a relief after her Day 1 crash. Nathan and Benedict went off just as the rain came down, the race stayed very much as a bunch on the narrow roads. Nathan came home in 13th putting him 7th in GC. Benedict had an amazing race gaining SECOND in the white jersey sprint and finishing SECOND in the bunch sprint moving him to 10th GC. Aidan had a great race finishing FIRST taking him to 2nd in GC he was also able to gain 4th in the white jersey sprint.

Day 3

Everyone headed south of Assen to Col Du Vam where the clouds got darker and darker for the hilly crit. Elevation from around 17m up to 44m in a short period tests the legs after 2 days of racing. Nathana and Benedict climbed it 3 times, Jorgie 4 and Aidan tackled the col 6 times.

Day 4

Individual Time Trial day. Total opposite from yesterday’s hill climbs this was mostly flat straight roads with a slight headwind on the finishing side of the course. This was more challenging for the parents as the start and finish were in different locations with long walks from car parks. Aidan finished 25th / 14th in GC. Jorgie finished 45th holding her 11th GC spot. Benedict finished 21st / 21st in GC.

Day 5

For the fifth and final day of the European Junior Tour of Assen every race had rain or a wet surface to race on. Rain and cobbles don’t mix well! A mixtures of cobbles, tarmac (some very new), campsites, wooded areas, carparks and roads made for challenging parcours on final stage stage.

Aidan came home 15th in the main bunch finishing 13th in GC, Jorgie finished 50th holding on to her 11th spot in GC (female). Nathan and Benedict luckily avoided a crash with Benedict finishing 9th gaining him 4 places to finish 17th in GC (9th green jersey and 5th white jersey) whilst Nathan had a great race gaining a podium position finishing THIRD in a sprint to the line taking him to 5th in GC (6th Green jersey).

Honourable mentions to Blake (22nd), Josh (33rd) and Tara (9th) who all train with Stratford and compete for their race teams. A busy 5 days of racing but very enjoyable and rewarding with great exposure to see how those In Europe race