Published: 13 November 2004
Reading Velodrome racing will stage 20 Monday Track League race meetings at Palmer Park Velodrome in the 2005 season starting on April 18th and closing on September 12th. Two Monday evening dates are excluded May 30th and August 29th, both Bank Holidays. The Spring Bank Holiday, May 2nd meeting, which will start at 1 p.m. will include the introduction of Bordeaux - Paris style racing over 50 kilometres which was rained off in 2004.
The Bordeaux ? Paris race will be for a full field of riders contesting stage one, a 20 kilometres scratch race. With 40 laps covered the first 10 riders to cross the finish line in an intermediate sprint will withdraw while the remainder continue to sprint at the completion of 20 kms. The ten riders who withdrew then contest the second stage, a 30 kms Derny motor paced race. The two stage race formula follows the pattern of the classic French Bordeaux - Paris road race won by Tom Simpson in the 1950s.
To widen the events programme for next season a one lap time trial series, 2 laps handicap and Italian pursuit will be added to the usual programme which always terminates with a 20 kilometre event. A and B riders will be catered for.
The Youth League programme for Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 years categories will again feature in the evening?s racing starting at 7 p.m. thirty minutes before the first senior race.
Forever breaking new ground the League is currently investigating the installation of electronic timing equipment and also fixed starting gates to aid standing start training and technique perfection.
The 2005 season will close with a prize presentation and Annual General Meeting in the Stadium Club room on Thursday, September 22nd.
To link the 2004 and 2005 season?s racing programmes winter roller racing is being planned to take place in the Stadium on Thursdays. Current and prospective new League members should contact Gordon Sherratt, 9 Mercia Road, Cox Green, Maidenhead, SL6 3DR. Telephone: 01628 415648 for more details and dates or seek information on this website. Roller racing will be for all categories, youths, juniors and seniors on fixed wheel, freewheel and mountain bikes depending on the level of interest.
Cost of membership of the Reading Track Racing League for 2005, starting January 1st is unchanged at Youths £6, Juniors £8, Seniors £12.
John Dennis