Oscar Northover sprints naar de zege

It’s his first time racing overseas but Oscar Northover from Sevenoaks, Kent already has two wins. He won the prologue by four seconds so he started the Emmen criterium on Tuesday in the yellow EQili jersey. In a very tight sprint to the line, he beat Benedict Sherrif. The nine-year Oscar was super happy with his race and literally jumped onto the podium in yellow.

“It was good fun but it was very hard race, very tiring,” said Oscar. “I didn’t have problems in the race although some were trying to cut me off but I just jumped on their wheel. The sprint was so tight. I was in my hardest gear giving everything. I didn’t even know if I won but I did! It was a millisecond difference, I think!”

Dad Daniel was naturally proud of Oscar. He has two boys racing: Harrison in category one and Oscar in category two.

“The tactical plan was the leader’s jersey,” he said about the family meeting before the race. “He had to really go for the final sprint so we said stay at the front because there are always splits and so and you don’t end up behind any moves.”

It’s what he did and know he start Wednesday’s points race in the yellow jersey. Two down, three to go. Oscar looks forward to the time trial on Thursday. He thinks he is a bit of a specialist. Although he now loves it, cycling was not always on the radar for him.

“I played football every day at school. Then my dad said there was this cycling club and if I wanted to try that. There was a race nearby at Herne Hill Velodrome so we did that. It was so much fun. I was third and it was my first race ever and I loved loved it.”

And now? Ketchup with fries and ice cream for dessert. Replenish the energy for the next race! Oscar can’t wait for more, that’s for sure.