HALESOWEN track riders had a rare rest last Friday as the showery weather put paid to the evening.

The league has been increasingly popular this year no doubt helped by the policy this year to allow members from other clubs to train on the track by joining Halesowen as a second claim member meaning they can enjoy the benefit of being a member but continue to race under their original club’s colours.

It is anticipated that the introduction of the policy will support further what is already a strong membership and racing programme.

This year the Halesowen Academy has been strengthened by two new recruits — junior Nick Clayton and under-23 woman Izzy Whiteley.

Clayton joined last year and, although he is relatively new to racing, has showed great strength recently with a promising ride in a junior two-day stage race at Stratford.

Whiteley has been a member of Halesowen Cycling Club for several years and has made great strides this year winning her first circuit race at Stourport where she is well placed in the series overall standings.

On the road, Charles Walker continued his stranglehold on the Staffordshire Road race series coming second in the sprint behind Raleigh rider Jack Escritt with Joe Hobbs also gaining points with a top-10 finish, with Oli Dighton in 18th. Walker’s target of category one status gets closer with another win during the week at Stourport.

This weekend the West Midlands Road Race League resumes near Leominster and Halesowen are again putting out a strong team. Jack Stanton Warren is racing with Charles and Patrick Fotheringham, Tom Swingler, and Joe Hobbs, together with in form Forrest Humphreys. Halesowen will be looking to build on their position in the league as they currently lie in second place.