Regional Youth Circuit Sessions at Preston Park This Winter
Preston Park Youth CC will host a series of seven South East Club Cluster sessions at Preston Park Velodrome this winter.
Running fortnightly from November through to February, the sessions are for Youth A, Youth B and Youth C riders (2026 categories), who want to develop their skills and prepare for the 2027 circuit racing season. For avoidance of doubt, this covers birth years 2010 to 2015, with no exceptions.
The Club Cluster provides a step up from regular club sessions, bringing together riders from clubs across the region to train in a larger, competitive group, have some fun, build resilience, and develop the physical, technical and tactical skills needed to take part in regional circuit racing from spring 2027. Riders must already be confident and competent riding in a group.
Winter series dates
All seven sessions take place on Saturdays 10am – 12pm at Preston Park Velodrome. Entries are open now on British Cycling, limited to 25 riders per session.
14 November 2026 – Club Cluster #1
28 November 2026 – Club Cluster #2
12 December 2026 – Club Cluster #3
9 January 2027 – Club Cluster #4
23 January 2027 – Club Cluster #5
6 February 2027 – Club Cluster #6
20 February 2027 – Club Cluster #7
Developing race skills over the winter
Each two-hour session will use progressive coached exercises to develop skills including bunch riding and positioning, riding in pacelines, attacking and responding to attacks, race tactics, decision-making and race craft, alongside the physical demands of racing. Expect plenty of riding, some friendly competition and opportunities to put those skills into practice.
Preston Park’s 580m oval circuit provides plenty of space for riders to work on positioning and tactics within a fast-moving bunch. However there will be less emphasis on technical cornering than at a conventional circuit.
Riders don’t need to be members of PPYCC to take part, the aim of the Club Cluster is to bring together young riders from clubs across the South East to train and develop together over the winter, and to make friends (and perhaps a few friendly rivals!) at other clubs ahead of the new season.
A winter workout
These are all-weather, winter training sessions, so we’re not promising sunshine! Cold, wind and rain are all part of the deal.
Riders MUST arrive prepared for the conditions with suitable winter clothing including a waterproof layer, overshoes and full fingered gloves. Your road bike must be in good working order and adjusted to the correct youth gearing, with a spare tube and basic toolkit, and enough food and drink for the session. Come well prepared, get stuck in and you’ll hopefully finish tired, smiling and looking forward to the next one.
We will only cancel where conditions make riding unsafe, such as snow, ice or storm-strength winds.
Parents and carers should note there is very little shelter around the track itself, but we will open the cricket pavilion where there are toilets and changing rooms, and there are multiple cafés close by for those all-important hot drinks!
Entry is £4 per session plus the £1 British Cycling fee. Entry is online only and places are limited. No entries on the day.
If you’re unsure whether these sessions are right for your rider, please email events@ppycc.org.uk.