Published: 8 May 2007
Palmer Park Track League 30th April
Bring out the Derny, strap on the driver and line up for some action.
The third night of the AW Cycles sponsored Palmer Park track league got under way in cool but clear and blustery conditions. Most felt that there seemed to be a headwind everywhere and no sign of a tailwind anywhere. Sounds familiar.
The Youths got the action started with a 6 lap Scratch race and starting with the Girls, it was Rosie Serruya who pipped Emily Hogge and Georgie Hardy for the win. Daniel Maslin continued his good form to take out the Under 12's whilst Stephen Bradbury won the Under 14's and Matt Gittings the Under 16's.
The next event was supposed to be a Youth Sprint competition but some quick changes to the program and the Youths were first up behind the Derny for their own Keirin competition.
Keirins originated in Japan (where they bet on the riders as much , if not more, than horse racing) and the format involves a Derny (special track motorbike) that sets a steady pace until the last lap where they swing off setting the riders on their way to the line in a mass charge of between 6 and 8 riders.
The results, although more exciting and fun, had Daniel Maslin (U12/10's), Stephen Bradbury(U14's) and Matt Gittings (U16's) all winning their respective age categories, whilst Emily Hogge showed some good leg speed to take the Girls race.
Bradbury, Maslin and Gittings would later win their Block handicap events with Rosie Serruya winning the girls event.
- The field comes together in the Senior Hare and Hounds
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The first Senior event of the night was the 10 lap Hare & Hounds, and the largest field so far this season with over 40 riders, blasted round at pace only to regroup on the bell, except for one lone rider, seasoned campaigner Sean Bannister who held a 50 metre lead only to be caught down the home straight by the fast finishing Ian Greentstreet. Greenstreet would also go on to win his second race of the night, the Unknown Distance event.
The senior Keirin event had three Senior A heats , two Senior B heats and two Senior Womens heats, which gave us 6 riders in each final.
- Janet Birkmyre wins the Ladies Keirin
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The A Final was won by about 5 inches, with Sam Serruya pipping Roger Woodford with Sam Sturgeon a close 3rd.
The B Final has not quite as close but still hard fought but it was Eddy Sobieralski taking the victory followed by John Hobbs and Ricky Pankhurst.
Womens final was dominated by Janet Birkmyre, who rode from the front and turned up the gas to win by a comfortable margin. Carrie Bedingfield and Charley Docker led in the chasers.
- The field strings out during the 20K Endurance race
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The next event is everyone's favourite, The Devil, and it was the brothers Wilmot, Marc and Michael, who claimed first and second, with Chris Legg 3rd but it was the final event of the night which, as always, is the most enduring and nonetheless painful, the AW Cycles 20km Endurance race. 44 laps of Palmer Park, in blustery conditions and with several new riders to the league, it was a closely fought affair.
First attack was a subtle one, with Richard Prince riding away steadily, gaining half a lap and then being joined by four riders including 13 year old Stephen Bradbury. These five stayed out front for 26 laps before the relentless pace of some senior riders bought them back into the fold. Other small attacks from Martin McCrossan and David Jack were eventually nullified and it was down to a final lap dash with 25 riders still in the mix.
- A close finish to the Endurance race
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
Usually at this point someone takes a flyer, gains 50 metres and hangs on for dear life, but no, it was a steady increase down the back straight and with riders five wide on the final bend, it was a drag race down the home straight and winning by half a wheel it was Lee Smith, who stole the victory from Richard Prince with Michael Wilmot taking third. A blanket could have covered the first 6 riders it was that close.
Next weeks Bank Holiday Monday event is a special Bordeaux-Paris Special Track event, which starts at 12 noon and includes a round of the National Endurance Series. Riders can enter on the line for most events and there is £1000 of prize money by kind sponsors AW Cycles and the Elgar Society.