HOME INTERNATIONALS: THEIR TIME TO SHINE
This year the Junior Home Internationals will showcase two of our elite female junior riders and one of our up and coming intermediate riders, chosen from a crop of talented females developing through Women’s racing. Lily Parr and Lexie Curtis will both make their England Team debuts as part of Zac Payne’s England Junior set up. This is Zac’s first call up of female riders to his Junior teams and he takes pride in his selection.
Zac explains, “Both thoroughly deserve a call up to represent their Regional teams and an England Junior spot in this year’s Home International at Leicester.”
Improving leaps and bounds
“Lily is a 5 time British Youth Champion after retaining her U14 title last year at Sheffield. Last year she finished 3rd in the British Women’s final with 16 points.
Having moved to Kesgrave last year, I have raced with and watched Lily race frequently. I have seen her improve leaps and bounds as she races at senior level for Kesgrave in some of the biggest events of the cycle speedway year including the National League and the European Club Championships.”
Never give up attitude
Zac continues, “Lexie has been involved with women’s league racing for many seasons and her never give up attitude is always so pleasing to watch. Lexie finished 3rd in last year’s U16s girls final and is a previous U12 girls British Champion. Lexie also won the Regional and National BYJL female protected categories 2023.”
“Both girls competed in the recent Laurels Women’s competition where Lily came out on top winning 18 points. Lexie just missed out on a podium place finishing on 15 points.”
Advert for women’s racing
British number 1 Maddie Saunders also shares her pride in the call ups, “What an advert for women’s racing Saturday will be! After the best pairs event I am really looking forward to cheering two of our own on, Lexie Curtis and Lily Parr as they make their England debuts for the England Junior teams. For Lexie, I believe this is a well earned opportunity. She always turns up to training week in, week out and puts in the laps with me.”
Both girls are the absolute pride of their home clubs (Kesgrave Panthers and Poole CSC) and we wish them good luck as they adventure into becoming the pride of England.
Young Lola Martin from Hethersett Hawks has the pleasure of pulling on an Ireland shirt to represent them in the Junior Home Internationals. She is the only female member of her team and is relishing the chance to race with the big guns at national junior racing level.
Lola riding with brother Mason
“I am very grateful to be asked to ride for the Ireland junior team as only being 12 years old, it is something I never thought would happen! What makes it more special is I will be riding with my brother on the same team and my dad is riding for the Ireland vets team also. If it wasn’t for my mum and a special thanks to Chris Timms for giving me this opportunity to ride. I will do my best (not to get lapped) and give it my all as am super proud to be doing this event.”
Lola is always supported and championed by her family, “As parents of Lola we would like to say how proud we are of her. She never cares where she comes she just gets on with it. She just loves to race and will race against anyone just to get rides. What she has achieved at 12 years old is just amazing already and we couldn’t be any more proud of her.”
We look forward to cheering you on too Lola and seeing that big smile you always have when riding.
We also get to celebrate the new Women’s England manager Charlie Jane Herbert, who is relishing her new responsibilities,
Opportunity to manage an England junior team
“I am grateful to Zac for providing me the opportunity to manage one of the England junior teams.”
“I am also pleased to see two of the girls called up to ride for England:”
“Lily Parr, from Kesgrave, has been working her way up to international level for the last few years, and is able to hold her own against those around her.”
“Lexie Curtis, from Poole, has made herself known on the racing scene. She has shown she is not to be messed with and is happy to get involved with the action around her.”
“Lola Martin, from Hethersett, has also been picked for the Ireland Junior team. Lola has really progressed over the last few years, and it’s nice to see this recognised and get a call up to the home internationals.”
“This is a big step forward for women’s racing, and showing that they can and are able to compete with the boys of our sport.”
Good luck to everyone involved at the Home Internationals, it’s going to be a showcase event for Cycle Speedway.