mmg.com.au

Not even a broken arm could turn budding Numurkah cyclist Bradley Skidmore off racing.

The 10-year-old was one of five Shepparton Cycling Club riders to contest the Scott Peoples Foundation Junior Track Carnival hosted by Echuca-Moama Cycling Club at the weekend.

Skidmore, who has only recently returned to the bike following a broken arm sustained while riding to school, collected three podium finishes for the meet.

After finishing fourth in the under-13 boys’ B-grade scratch race, Skidmore came within a whisker of winning the B-grade elimination, before breaking through for a first place in heat two of the three-lap handicap.

Wet weather intervened and forced the cancellation of day two of the event, but not before Skidmore claimed another second place in the B-grade four-lap scratch race.

The spirited young rider, who is in his second season of track racing, said he ‘‘couldn’t believe it’’ when he crossed the line first and praised the input of coach Steve Fairless.

‘‘Me and Steve made a plan, there were four in front of me and it was just to take out the first one, then sit behind the wheel,’’ Skidmore said.

‘‘When we got closer I just said, ‘you know what, I’m going to win’.’’

Win he did and Skidmore said it made up for the narrow miss in the elimination, which ‘‘needed a photo finish’’ and he ‘‘just didn’t have enough power’’ to beat Brunswick Cycling Club’s Leon Pudebat across the line.

Fellow SCC rider Ryan Kilpatrick continued his strong season, with two more victories in the under-17 B-grade nine-lap scratch race and the B-grade keirin.

The success comes on the back of good performances at the Shepparton Christmas Carnival two weeks ago.

Track cycling newcomer Indiana Michel grabbed a podium finish with third place behind Kilpatrick in the scratch race.

Demi McDonald and Jordyn Smith did not manage a placing, but competed well against older opponents in the under-15 girls’ races.

SCC president Edward Dalle Nogare said the positive results showed the young riders were being rewarded for their hard work with coach Fairless, with most down at the Shepparton velodrome twice a week for training.