Talented young Eden cyclist Leo Walsh has been crowned winner of the 2022 North West Youth League.
Earlier this year, nine-year-old Leo became regional under-10 youth circuit champion with a fabulous spring finish in the colours of his Lancashire-based club Salt Ayre Cog Set.
That was weeks after he claimed a maiden victory in the North West Youth League (NWYL), which is supported by Dolan bikes. This has comprised seven rounds of racing at circuits all around the region, with riders’ best five results counting towards final league standings.
Competing in the Youth D category for Salt Ayre Cog Set — for riders aged six to 18 — Leo was on familiar ground as his club hosted the final round.
Going into the final fixture, he was second in the overall standings with 245 points having recorded two wins, one second place and two third spots.
Top of the leaderboard, although only by a single point was Red Johnson, of North Cheshire Clarion. Eamonn Postlethwaite, of Eastlands Velo was third with 239 points.
Elsewhere in the field, Cobey Stewart, from Stepping Stanes Youth Cycling Club in Scotland, travelled to join the NWYL riders for the third time this racing season. He had dominated the first event of the season, at Carlisle in April, winning by a large margin.
Leo was hoping to win at his home track last weekend but knew it was going to be a highly competitive, tense race.
He was briefly left behind at the start, struggling to clip his cleat into the left pedal and then having to sprint to catch up with the leading group of riders.
After catching up with the leading group, he controlled the pace at the front and responded quickly to attacks. In the end, it came down to a sprint, which favoured Leo, who finished first, ahead of Eamonn and Cobey with Johnson fifth. It meant Leo finished the season top of the league with 247 points, winning by just one.
From his eight races this year, he has won four — three league successes and the North West Youth Circuit 2022 title — and has not finished outside the top three places in any.
“It is another fantastic achievement for Leo,” said his dad, Luke. “He has done exceptionally well. We are so proud of him.”
Leo, whose mum is Gudrun Ravetz, lives in the Eden Valley and goes to school in Langwathby. And speaking about his victory, he said: “I am so happy. It is the best feeling in the world.”
Leo was presented with a medal for winning the race and then received a winner’s jersey and trophy.
