Round one of the Dan Kneen Youth MTB Series took place at South Barrule on bank holiday Monday, hosted by the newly-formed Junior Island Mountain Biking charity.

This has been set up with their core objectives to introduce, nurture and develop young mountain bike talent in the Isle of Man.

As headline sponsor, Leanne Harper from the Dan Kneen Charitable Fund started proceedings by presenting a generous cheque to the sum of £1,020. This contribution has helped the charity set up ready for 2021 including the purchase of new safety and set-up equipment to ensure the safe running of events.

Prior to racing, training for riders aged under six took place under guidance from British Cycling-qualified coaches who were on hand to help guide and develop them in preparation for when they are old enough to race.

Action got underway with the youngest YE classes away first and it was Ciaran Grimshaw who took an early lead with Ethan Burgess and Oliver Hutchinson in hot pursuit.

Going into lap two, the leading pack could not sustain their early pace which allowed a hard-charging Brody Burdon to push himself through to take his debut mountain bike win from Ethan and Oliver.

In the girls category, Isla Kennington led from the front to take the win from newcomers Emily Furner and Phoebe Gale.

In YD, Tommy Bass resisted an early challenge from Oliver Kennington to lead from start to finish, with Harrison Doyle claiming third ahead of the chasing pack. Poppy Clayton took the girls honours but was pushed all the way by Millie Ward, with Sophie Halligan in third.

An expanded YC field was away next, with Daniel Minay leading from start to finish from Cameron Hounsell, while Oliver Sidebottom and Thomas Hutchinson were embroiled in a race-long battle before the former broke free on the last lap to take the final podium position.

In the girls class, Abi Clayton doubled their family win tally for the day by claiming victory ahead of Florence Heselton.

Finally, the youth A and B combined competed in the longest race of the day. Youth B’s Will Curphey set a scorching pace in the boys contest which nobody could match and he duly clinched his first win of the year from Alec Sorby and a returning Lewin Scarffe.

Sole B class girl Kasey Corrin took the YB girls win.

With no boys YA competitors, the sole youth A honours were left to the girls. Lilli Doyle led from the start with fellow newcomer Shelby Gleeson right on her wheel until the final lap when the former made a big push to break away and take a fantastic debut win.

Junior Island Mountain Biking would like to thank all the marshals, track builders and committee members for all their help in making the first event a great success. Thanks also go to series sponsors the Dan Kneen Charitable Fund, Zurich IoM, Aston International and Pedal to Progression without whom the series could not go ahead.

Round two will be supporting the Longest Day, Longest Ride event on Saturday, June 26 - follow the Facebook page for all information.

Results: Youth A girls1, Lilli Doyle; 2, Shelby Gleeson. YB boys 1, Will Curphey; 2, Alec Sorby; 3, Lewin Scarffe. YB girls 1, Kasey Corrin. YC boys 1, Daniel Minay; 2, Cameron Hounsell; 3, Oliver Sidebottom; 4, Thomas Hutchinson; 5, Zach Jones; 6, Henry Dormer; 7, Billy Kneen. YC girls 1, Abi Clayton; 2, Florence Heselton. YD boys 1, Tommy Bass; 2, Oliver Kennington; 3, Harrison Doyle; 4, Leon McEleney; 5, Zach Crellin; 6, Zhen Jet Whoon. YD girls 1, Poppy Clayton; 2, Millie Wardy; 3, Sophie Halligan. YE boys 1, Brody Burdon; 2, Ethan Burgess; 3, Oliver Hutchinson; 4, Cieran Grimshaw; 5, Henry Quaye; 6, Aelan Morgans; 7, Daniel Baker; 8, James Arnold; 9, Cameron Kyle, 10, Ben Corlett. YE girls 1, Isla Kennington; 2, Emily Furner; 3, Phoebe Gale.