Two of Verulam Reallymoving’s younger riders picked up further podium positions to cement the St Albans-based racing team’s fine start to 2018.

Herts Advertiser: Beth Watson takes second place at Hillingdon for Verulam Reallymoving. Picture: STRAFFORD WATSONBeth Watson takes second place at Hillingdon for Verulam Reallymoving. Picture: STRAFFORD WATSON (Image: 2018 Strafford Watson)

In the latest round of Winter Series races at Hillingdon, Cody Nelson and Beth Watson both finished second in their respective races.

Teammates Jamie Maxen and Will Smith both achieved top-10 positions in the U14 event.

Nelson, who is also a member of the Oaklands Cycling Academy, was part of the work done to pull back two early leaders. And once they were back in the main bunch, he sat in until the last lap.

He said: “I was in an ideal position on the fourth wheel and moved up to second by the last bend. I waited for the attack to happen and once it did I was slowly closing the gap.

Herts Advertiser: Beth Watson takes second place at Hillingdon for Verulam Reallymoving. Picture: STRAFFORD WATSONBeth Watson takes second place at Hillingdon for Verulam Reallymoving. Picture: STRAFFORD WATSON (Image: 2018 Strafford Watson)

“I put in a last kick, but left it a little bit too late but I was still very pleased to have got second place.”