Published: 31 July 2010
With many riders apparently anticipation rain that never materialized, a depleted field of Youth riders congregated at the start on this uncomfortably chilly evening.
Starting promptly at 7pm, the Points races kicked off the evening with the Under 14s and Under 16s off first. The race ran mainly to form with the exception of Jamil Gaida who showed excellent tactical nous riding hard when required while being aware of the need to recover between efforts. Jason Pitt, Josh Ansell and Jack Smith took the first three places in the Under 16s with Jamil Gaida, Daniel Lansley and Joseph Linehan filling the Under 14 top spots. Abigail Dentus and Toni Griffiths took the Under 14 girls, one - two.
The start of the combined Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 race saw Callum Macleod setting the early pace until the older Cameron Thompson and Carl Jolly set about one another in a fierce battle with Cameron finally coming out on top with Danny Griffiths running in third. In the Under 10s Callum took the win from Anna Linehan with little Max Reed in third. Emily Conn competed well with the older riders taking the U8 points.
As has been mentioned in previous reports the races for the younger categories are a fantastic introduction to the track. The Devil races this evening showed this well with tactical acumen being as important as out and out speed. In the 12s, 10s and 8s Devil Carl Jolly took victory after a solo attack and pursuit to the finish showing that he was unhappy with his Points second, realizing he was likely to be beaten in a sprint should the race be determined in that manner. Under 10 Kitty Pilgrim-Morris made a notable effort taking points from those who may have assumed they were more likely to place, showing that she's learning the skills necessary to race the track. Good to see.
With the smaller field the Keirin races proved to be the most exciting and, in places, the most closely fought.
Heat 1 saw Kitty Pilgrim-Morris line up with Max Reed, Callum Macleod, Anna Linehan, Emily Conn. As the Derny left the track Callum Macleod held station on the front prompting the other riders to try and come on the outside. With 200 meters to go Callum attacked gapping the rest with Max Reed making a super effort to come in second with Anna Linehan in third.
Heat 2 starters were: Danny Griffiths, Carl Jolly, Cameron Thompson, Sam Oliver, Max Rigby and Luis Hindman. With the Derny picking up the riders Luis Hindman obviously felt he had missed his preferred place in the line so took the outside line and rode into the wind on the outside until the Derny left the track with 300 to go. It was obviously a mistake because Luis made an early move only to blow very quickly as the race for the line began. Showing excellent sprint speed Cameron took the win from Carl with Danny holding on well for third.
Heat 3 was fought between newcomer Josh Ansell, Jason Brown, Jack Smith and John Ellis. The race was a closely fought affair with the obviously stronger Jason Pitt being kept honest by Josh and Jack who tried in vain to round him in the home straight. Jason took the win from Jack with Josh a very close third.
Heat 4, the final heat, started with the riders, Daniel Lansley, Jamil Gaida, Abi Dentus and Joeseph Lenihan jockeying for position before things settled down. Abi anticipated the Derny leaving the track and made the first effort forcing the boys the long way round. Daniel took a clear win from Jamil and Abi in second an third respectively.
The final race of the night, a 10 lap Scratch, followed a familiar pattern with the Under 8s and Under 10s being given a half lap start. Not content with the sedate pace, Callum Macleod decided to make a solo effort and was allowed to get within sight of the bunch before they started to take note. Callum hung on finally being swallowed up with just under three laps to go. He did get his reward in lapping many riders his senior. One thing is missing in Callum's riding, a little self-belief, one he gets it he will start to realize his full potential. Jason Pitt brought the race home with Josh Ansell working extremely well in gaining second from Jack Smith in third and Abi Dentus leading the girls in.