Katie Lawson wins British Cycling National Youth series

Katie Lawson, from Clayton-le-Dale, has become one of the only 14-year-olds to win the series in her first year of entering.

The Omnium Series, held at the iconic Lee Valley Velodrome at the heart of London's Olympic Park, is the only official national title available to u14 riders, and tests all aspects of track riding with points accumulated over five events.

Katie Lawson (Image: Lawson family)

All the points are then added to the cumulative score, with the winner being the rider with the most points.

Katie, who attends Ribblesdale High School, breezed through the first two rounds, but came eighth in the elimination event, which meant winning the final two rounds were imperative if she was going to be crowned champion.

Katie in action (Image: Benson Ho)

She managed to close the gap in the fourth event and then made sure the title was hers by winning the final sprint in fine style.

Katie’s dad, Tim Lawson said: “I’m supper happy for Katie, and impressed with how she manged the events. I think my nerves are still frazzled.

Katie Lawson, centre, takes first place (Image: Lawson family)

“Katie had shown herself to be the fastest on the track, so I said to someone after the elimination race (that’s best forgotten) that it would be a shame to be the fastest there and not win, but she handled the pressure with impressive maturity and determination.

“In cycling it is not just the medals, if you win you have the right to wear the national champions jersey in all the track cycling competitions for a year, so the difference from first to second is much more than the colour of the medal. 

Katie in action in the orange jersey (Image: Benson Ho)

“These are the events where British Cycling coaches start to look for their next Olympic track stars, so she is sure to have caught their eye with this performance.”

Katie has been competing in cyclocross events since she was five and in 2018 rode her way to glory at the Great Harwood Showground, when she took part in the North West Cyclocross Association series competition, aged just eight.

And in September 2021, aged 11, she won the Wessex Series event, and was then presented with the North West Series Trophy after winning the Rossendale Marl Pits event on September 25, before heading to Broughton Hall in Yorkshire to win the series event the following day.

In April, Katie travelled to Fife with her parents where she won the British Youth Circuit Series at Fife Cycle Park in Lochgelly.

Next for Katie is the North West youth tour and then training for the cyclocross season. 

Katie on the podium in first place (Image: Benson Ho)

Tim added, jokingly: “Katie is over the moon, and looking forward to showing off the jersey, but I think I’m ready for a rest.

"I’m also not sure I’m looking forward to cleaning all those muddy bikes on top of driving to all the events.”