Lamb and Alexander among the young stars training in Belgium (From Thurrock Gazette)

Thurrock youngsters return from tough weekend in Flanders

1:20pm Monday 1st March 2010 in Sport

CYCLING: A GROUP of teenage cyclists from Thurrock and Southend have returned from a weekend in Belgium taking on some of the world’s toughest climbs.

Grays School pupil and Gateway Cycling Club member Ben Lamb, 15, from Chafford Hundred rode the course alongside Simon Alexander from East Tilbury, George Pearl from Southend and North Fam-bridge’s Sam Connolley.

They took on more than 100 miles of freezing Flanders roads as well as many sheer climbs including the Koppenberg climb — a feared ascent over slippery cobbles.

The special training weekend was organised by Alan Rosner of British Cycling’s eastern region. He took 13 riders to the top European cycling destination. The steepest climb was at more than 22 per cent.

Essex’s gritty champions of the future had to put up with everything that the weather could throw at them.

Ben Lamb said: “On the Saturday it even snowed. The course was over 52 miles on the first day and about 50 on the second. It was a tough and there were lots of steep climbs.

“The worst climb was the Koppenberg climb and I came off two times. I was probably the youngest cyclist there and was struggling to keep with them on the last 10k on the second day.

“But you have to learn to cope with the cold and the cramp and the hills.”

Several of the young racers will be doing track training later this month and then will be building up towards the British cycling championship which takes place in Redbridge in June.

Essex cycling stalwart Alan Rosner said riding in Belgium gave young cyclists exposure to the highest level of competition in Europe. He says it demands a different riding style as under-17s in England are banned from racing on the road. “They are riding on roads and terrain that they would just not be able to experience here,” Rosner said.

Already European road experience has contributed to the success of Ed Bird, 17, who is with the Olympic development racers.