Friday March 19, 2010 at 11:08am
Taking a glance at the declared runners and riders for the various youth Championship crowns it's obvious to see that this years competition will be a fast and furious affair right across the board - as the ACU series has once again attracted a best quality field. The Junior 65cc section starts out with one clear cut favourite and he is Albie Wilkie. Ten year old Albie from the London area has been in terrific form over the winter months - particularly in SX arena indoor action - and he's definitely all fired up to repeat the process out doors. Jamie Osbourne from Stoke together with Welsh Wizard Alex Walton have both looked to be very strong in club competition in the run up to the national campaign - and when added to Bradford's Keenan Hird they three could well represent the major challenge in the 65cc class if it's not to be Albie's year. From last year's ranks you can also expect there to be be a hefty points scoring effort coming from the likes of Tom Hume, Taylor Hammal, Jake Edey, Max Bickers, Archie Osmaston and Matthew Pocock.
In the first of the 85cc divisions, the Small Wheel section, Oliver Osmaston will be riding the awesome pro circuit Honda 150F machine, and one thing is for certain - he will be a really tough act to beat. If anyone is starting out as an odds on favourite to lift a crown in 2010 it surely must be 12 year old Ollie. If however Ollie does happen to slip up there is a gang of equally matched, talented and speedy riders just waiting in the wings and ready to take full advantage. Robert Yates, Josh Gilbert, Sid Evans, Conrad Mewse and Scotland's Jay Lamb are the five most likely candidates to be the ones snapping at Ollie's heels and hustling him for the chequers at round one. Behind them you can also expect real fireworks from Jack Seabourne, Lewis Houghton, Greg Hyett, David Keet, Henry Williams and Casey Connolly as they jostle for position in a class that is full of endless and intriguing possibilities.
The Big Wheel 85cc challenge quite often turns out to be being something of a Blue Ribbon event, and in 2010 it once again has all the makings of being yet another really classic year. Ben Howell and Ben Watson are both riding Austrian KTM machinery and they represent the two biggest guns in the Big Wheel shootout. The head to head between the two guys could well be so close and all engrossing that it eventually becomes one of the standout highlights of the entire youth season. Behind that pairing however there is a block of talent in the shape of Liam Garland, Connor Clark, Mickey Eccles, Robert Davidson, James Harrison, Adam Sterry, Sam Winterburn, Corie Southwood, Tom Neal, Jack Kelly and Brad Todd - and they are all well capable of winning an individual moto if they hit the right groove. That makes this particular section mouth watering to say the very least.
In the Open Class youth section one thing that strikes you immediately is the shear pedigree and class of the proven winners that are taking part in the 2010 contest. At the very sharp end the division is fronted up by what is without doubt the next wave of the under 16 year old talent that will progress and feature prominently in the Adult professional ranks of the Maxxis competition. In Connor Walkley, Nathan Watson, Bradley Pocock, Ryan Houghton, James Dunn, Jamie McCanney, Jordan Godwin and Luke Norris the section boasts no fewer than eight previous National winning youth champions. When you add to those names the likes of Scottish flier Gary Sharp, Damon Wales, Jake Page, Jamie Houghton, Luke Newman, Harry Noakes and Ryan Watson, It's quite obvious this division along with the three others will be bar banging 24 carat entertainment all the way to the final flags of the series in September.