Euro ride thrills Jake
Date published: 17 May 2011
CYCLIST Jake Ragan mixed it with the best youths in Europe at the Wim Hendrix race.
The 16-year-old, from Denshaw, was one of six competitors representing the Great Britain talent squad.
He raced in the leading pack throughout the 75-kilometre leg, which set off from the Netherlands and arrived in Belgium, and finished 50th from a field of 190.
Ragan came sixth in the second stage, which was 65k long, and was third in the final push over 56k.
It was a good result, considering the talented teenager has been hit by a series of niggling injuries of late.
Dad Mark said: “Jake did very well to remain in the front pack because he was up against the best cyclists in Europe for this age group.
“It has not been easy for him because he has had a few injuries.
“But the cycling season is still in its infancy so the performance in the Wim Hendrix will help Jake build up some rhythm.
“He always enjoys representing Great Britain and this was no exception. In such a competitive field it is a good way to gauge how far he has come.
“In the first leg he could have finished even higher up the pecking order, but it was a difficult race and he had to chase hard.”
