Published: 2 July 2010
With summer weather returning numbers were up a little on last week while down on the best turn out of the year. Derny's were on the program for the Under 14s and Under 16s so the older Youths were in for a tough night's racing, especially those going on to compete in the adult 20k.
Shane Benson, returning after a well earned break, set the first race handicap positions and the Under 12s, Under 10s and Under 8s got proceedings under way by ripping round the single lap race. A slightly generous position saw Callum Macleod take the win from Emily Conn with Sam Oliver battling all the way for third.
Shane was again in generous handicapping mood. In the Under 14 and Under 16 race the first two positions were taken by the girls, Toni Griffiths and Abigail Dentus, but not before they had worked extremely hard to gain and maintain their positions. A fully committed George Needham took third.
Next was the 10 lap Block Handicap, an initially extremely slow affair with the older riders happy to trundle round probably anticipating an extreme workout behind the Derny's later. With the four smallest riders on the track, Euan Macleod, Max Reed, Emily Conn and Kitty Pilgrim Morris maintaining a through and off routine the race arrived at half distance with little action. First to up the pace was Daniel Lansley forcing the entire field into action. As the groups merged again Josh Ansell, in only his second track league meeting, made a very good attack and suddenly the race was on. Duncan Lawrence took a rare but excellent win from Jason Pitt with Under 14 Daniel Lansley in third.
A full compliment of Derny Pacers and slightly lower numbers of riders enabled the Under 14s and Under 16s to run their Derny paced races as straight finals.
Lining up sequentially along the white racing line were: Toni Griffiths, Abi Dentus, Matt Lansley, George Needham, Reg Pay and finally, Daniel Lansley. With the riders having picked up their individual Derny, the race got underway immediately with Daniel Lansley accelerating directly from back to the front with Reg Pay moving on to his shoulder. These two gapped the field with Abi Dentus, being paced by her father Dave, holding them within sight looking as though she may be planning a late run. Positions were held as the pace gradually increased. The physically larger Daniel sat on the inside while Reg matched his every move, in a fluid, supple style that he will benefit greatly from in future. With 5 laps remaining Pacer Andy Pitt started to work George Needham and moved into fourth and continued to work towards Abi. With the race entering the final three laps, and the pace increasing significantly, the front two still raced neck and neck with Reg absolutely glued to the rear guard of his pacer. It was something of a shock when Daniel started to lose his pacer and Reg continued to motor on looking for all the world like a little "Wiggins" such was his style. The late move and faltering of Daniel saw Abi Dentus move into second for a fine climax to an excellent race.
The Under 16s; Jason Brown, John Ellis, Duncan Patterson, Josh Ansell, Jack Smith and Jason Pitt picked up their pacers and the experienced Jason Pitt moved immediately to the head of the race where he set about opening a gap. John Wann pacing Duncan Patterson spotted the attack and with Dave Dentus pacing Josh Ansell in hot pursuit, set off after Jason. Over the course of the race Jason continued to open the gap and heap pressure on those behind. Duncan worked extremely hard in holding his position with the inexperienced Josh Ansell fighting as if his life depended upon it to, not only keep up, but ensure that Duncan knew there would be no rest until the line. An authoritative win for Jason with Duncan in second and Josh in third.
The final 10 lap Scratch race was taken by Jason Pitt with an excellent second for Under 14 Daniel Lansley and Duncan Lawrence in third. First girl was, once again, Abi Dentus.