Students so impress organisers of the 104km event thgey are awarded special gold medals

STUDENTS from the Axe Valley Community College returned home with gold medals after taking part in a gruelling 104km cycle ride.

They were amongst 2,500 competitors taking part in this year’s

Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportive event.

The team of 13 Year 10 students have been training hard to complete the gruelling ride for the last six months, combing the physical challenge with a test of their business skills.

They started by gaining sponsorship from local firms for a team jersey which they designed themselves. Then they built their fitness with a 65 mile ride over the steep Dartmoor hills.

On the big day they set off at 8am from Kingsteignton and completed the route eight hours later, cheered home by enthusiastic spectators.

The event organisers were so impressed by the youngsters’ achievement they presented them with special gold medals, which was a totally unexpected end to a fantastic day.

Teacher Mark Beacham said: “I could not be more proud of the students. The commitment they have shown over the last six months is a wonderful example to all young people. Most of them had never ridden a road bike four months ago, so I am hugely impressed by what they’ve achieved.”