TWO of Southend Wheelers Cycling Club’s young riders took to the track in the first races of a winter league being held at the new Redbridge Cycling Centre at Hogg Hill.

This brand new facility already has a reputation among experienced riders as probably the toughest track circuit in the country.

George Pearl, 16, made his debut in the junior 16 to 18 category by racing in an adult men’s second/third category race.

Under orders from his coach to just try and finish the race and stay in the peleton if he could, Pearl spent most of the race at the front which is where all the hard work is done.

Not phased by the older and more experienced riders around him, and despite his instructions, Pearl could not resist testing his legs and broke away from the bunch more than once.

Pearl crossed the line in 12th place in a blanket finish with seven other riders. To his credit most of the other 40 starters were scattered all over the course behind him or watching from the side lines having already retired.

Pearl will be back next week for the next round, his sights set on a top 10 placing.

Simon Alexander, 15, still in his first year of racing, rode in the under-16 race in a high quality field.

Alexander, still learning the tactics of racing and working on his skills, rode strongly from the start, taking on most of the work by staying on the front for most of the time.

As the race settled and began to unfold, the eventual winner made a strong break away from the group which Alexander was poised to cover.

However, a rear tyre puncture forced him to retire.

Frustrated but having learned from the experience, Alexander will be training harder before the next race.