Published: 7 September 2004
Report and Results from Palmer Park Reading. September 6th 2004
From John Dennis
Report
Penultimate race night of the Track League?s 2004 season saw some dramatic last minute attempts to challenge current leaders in the points battles to gain Championship leaderships. Abby Jackson, Team Luciano Fondriest, was 10 points in arrears to the leader, Twickenham CC?s Cheryl Owens at the start of the evening racing, but clearly showed the potential she has by winning both the Keirin and the Unknown Distance events and coming second in the 10 laps scratch which built her score by 8 points. It was a gallant attempt, but Cheryl marked up another two points which guarantees her the League?s Ladies Championship. Nevertheless Abby cannot be robbed of the Ladies Sprint Championship title which she has earned by impressive improvement throughout the season. Ladies racing at Palmer Park, has blossomed this season with 13 names on the register, and the superior competition which has developed throughout the year, that is bound to show in the near future. The other factor which has proved to be an excellent way to improve the female racing qualities must be the fact that the Youth League which categorises riders by age with no regard to gender. So, especially when Bridie Hindle appears, she shows no mercy when tackling the young males she is riding against.
With Lewis Atkins on the sick list while recovering from his unfortunate training crash, and Neil Cooper and Sam Sturgeon away racing in France, there will be no change to the current score charts in the Derny motor paced, Keirin, Sprint and Endurance Championships. Atkins, with a commanding lead of 26 points in the Evening Post backed overall League Championship, will take the title while still in plaster, from last year?s title holder Neil Cooper who has missed a number of race meetings while studying at Swansea University. Atkins will also take the Derny Motor paced and Endurance titles while Cooper amassed a sufficient score to take the Keirin title and share the Sprint Championship leadership with club mate Alex Petersen.
Squadron Leader Angus McInnes, his flying duties limiting his training time on a bicycle after a 6 week gap in his racing programme was another to make a last minute attack on the ultimate Championship position. He started Monday?s racing 11 points behind Rob Richardson, the Hounslow & District Wheeler veteran who always proves to be a thorn in the side of many younger competitors. But despite showing excellent form that gained victory for him in the Keirin race, and two third places in the Unknown Distance and the Endurance that netted him 5 points, he could not dislodge Richardson. His best and most painful performance came in the Endurance 20 kilometre scratch race. The field of 25 was whittled down to seven finishers after a bruising race which saw the ultimate victor Jeff Baird, Twickenham CC, Richardson and juvenile wonder boy James Boyman, Team Luciano forcing the pace much of the time which destroyed so many. With perspiration pouring off him and still breathing heavily Angus expressed satisfaction with his performance but quipped ?the learning course I?ve been on for the past six weeks did my pedalling no good at all!?
Seniors
10 laps Scratch:- 1. George Olive, North Road CC, 2. Jeff Baird, Twickenham, 3. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury RC
Ladies: 1. Carrie Bedingfield, Thames Velo, 2. Abby Jackson, Team Luciano Fondriest, 3. Cheryl Owens, Twickenham CC
2 laps Keirin:- 1. George Olive, 2. Ian Greenstreet, 3. James Boyman, Team Luciano.
Veterans:- 1. Angus McInnes, RAF, 2. Murray Hogge, Reading CC, 3. Paul Cooper, Reading CC. Ladies:- 1. Abby Jackson, 2. Lara Wann, Palmer Park Velo, 3. Carrie Bedingfield
Devil:- 1. Jeff Baird, 2. Paul Ramsden, S.Western RC/Evans, 3. Angus McInnes.
Unknown Distance:- 1. George Olive, 2. Ian Greenstreet, 3. Angus McInnes. Ladies:- 1. Abby Jackson, 2. Carrie Bedingfield, 3. Cheryl Owens.
20 kms Endurance:- 1. Jeff Baird, 2. (Best youth) James Boyman, 3. Angus McInnes , Best A rider, George Olive.
Youth League
6 lap Scratch:- U16, 1. Christopher Bradbury, Palmer Park Velo, 2. James Boyman, Team Luciano, 3. Robert Clarke, PPV. U14 1. Sam Serruya, PPV, 2. Christopher Legg, PPV, 3. Robert Jackson, Farnborough & Camberley U12 1. Mark Baxter, PPV, 2. Stephen Bradbury, PPV, 3. Emily Clarke, PPV
2 laps Keirin:- U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Christopher Bradbury, 3. Bridie Hindle, Dataphonics R.T. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Christopher Legg, 3. Robert Jackson, U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Gittings, PPV, 3. Stephen Bradbury
10 laps Hare & Hounds:- U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Lara Wann, 3. Bridie Hindle U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Christopher Legg, 3. Robert Jackson U12 1. George Withers, PPV, 2. Mark Baxter, 3. Stephen Bradbury