CHELMSFORD teenager Mitchell Powell has claimed the men’s national 8km grass track cycling title.
The 17-year-old Chelmer Valley High School student won the race at the Mildenhall Festival of Cycling by half a wheel’s length as he held of his rivals.
Powell was presented with his national champion’s jersey and gold medal by Max Pendleton, the race organiser and father of retired Olympic champ Victoria Pendleton.
Conditions were wet and slippery in the rain on the grass track.
Powell was among a leading group with former Commonwealth Games rider and world masters champion John McClelland, Martin Smith and Grant Martin.
The Essex rider moved alongside Smith and sensed an attack from Martin heading into the final straight.
But Powell sensed the approach and timed his lunge for the line to perfection to beat Martin, with Smith taking third place.
The Mildenhall Rally is a popular event with riders who have gone on to win national and international recognition.
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