Published: 5 June 2005
From John Dennis
The first of the season?s track Championships in the Reading Velodrome Racing programme saw some classic Individual Pursuit racing, Two titles were disputed at Palmer Park Stadium on Monday evening, the Track League?s event and British Cycling?s Central Division Championship limited to riders from cycling clubs within the Division?s Boundaries.
Defending Division Champion, Gary Kristensen, a regular soldier based at Arborfield Garrison, looked like holding on to the title when he clocked the fastest time of the series in his qualifying heat. In the final of the 9 laps event, which is marginally longer than the international 4,000m distance, he raced into an immediate lead over his opponent, Twickenham?s Steve Legg. After 6 laps, Legg began to close the gap and revealed that his strategy was to race his opponent and not concentrate on the time. It was classic pursuiting, man against man, and Legg drew level with Kristensen with one lap to go and then forged ahead to win by less than one second.
The League Championship final, over the same 9 laps looked as if it could be a foregone conclusion for this year?s leader of the Track League, Bryan Taylor had clocked a five second faster time in his heat than his rival finalist Ian Holt. But that was not the way it looked as these two started their wind blown battle for Holt who has shown himself a strong challenger all season, went into an immediate lead Taylor, who has a super fast finishing sprint is not know as an individual pursuit rider and looked to have met his superior on the opposite side of the track.
Reminiscent of the classic World Champions of the past, well known Australian, Sid Patterson, who transferred from sprinter to pursuiter to win the World title, the powerful Taylor left his winning effort to the last laps when he ?turned on the gas? with a sparkling burst of speed to gain almost 2 seconds on Ian Holt at the finish. The interesting point when comparing the two Championship races, both over the same distance, is that the Reading League final was won with a time seven seconds faster than the Divisional final.
The battle between Bryan Taylor and Ian Holt extended beyond their pursuit match, for they finished first and second in the AW Cycles 20 kms Endurance race, the closing event of a cold windy night. Taylor, wearing the yellow leader?s jersey remained unbeaten in the Endurance series so far this season, while Holt won the 2 lap Keirin in great style.
Lewis Atkins now showing that his best form is not far away, was only inches behind Taylor in the opening 10 laps scratch race after winning the bronze medal in the previous day?s National 10 miles Championship on the road, which showed his versatility since it was only his third ever time trial on the road.
There is another notable emerging in the B riders section of the League racing, Willesden CC rider David Dentus. While he has been in the prize list all season, he excelled himself on Monday by winning all three events, the 10 lap scratch, 2 laps Keirin and the Endurance.
The surprise of the night was the re-appearance of Joe Bayfield after an absence of 7 years. Following a severe motor bike accident, which among other injuries, included a broken leg he retired from cycle racing until he was offered a place in the AW Cycles team this year, and decided to meet the challenge. In his first track appearance after that time gap, Joe took no less than three third places on Monday. Watch out Lewis Atkins and Bryan Taylor, this man is on his way back!
In the female department, visitor from the USA Samantha van Gerbig, riding for Oxford University, dominated Monday?s events, winning the 10 laps scratch and the 20 kms Endurance and finishing second in the Keirin.
Photos
Photographs of the events are available courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography.
Results
Youth
6 laps Block Handicap:
U16: 1. Ben Stockdale, Evesham & District Wheelers, 2. Sam Serruya, Palmer Park Velo, 3. Toby Meadows, Agiskoviner
U14: 1. Chris Legg, PPV, 2. Mark Baxter, PPV, 3. Robert Jackson, Agiskoviner.
U12: 1. Stephen Bradbury, PPV, 2. Rebecca Pressner, Hillingdon Slipstreamers. 3. George Withers, Palmer Park Velo.
One lap Time Trial:
U16: 1. Michael Wilmot, Hillingdon Slipstreamers, 2. Tom Withers, PPV, 3. Ben Lowe, Twickenham CC
U14: 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Chris Legg, 3. Robert Jackson
U12: 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Rebecca Pressner, 3. George Withers.
4 laps Hare & Hounds:
U16: 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Ben Stockdale, 3. Ben Lowe
U14: 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Chris Legg, 3. Robert Jackson
U12: 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Rebecca Pressner, 3. George Withers.
10 laps Scr:
U16: 1. Toby Meadows, 2. Sam Serruya, 3. Ben Lowe,
U14: 1. Chris Legg, 2. Mark Baxter, 3. Robert Jackson,
U12: 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Rebecca Pressner, 3. George Withers
Seniors
10 laps Scratch:
A Riders: 1. Bryan Taylor, VC Londres, 2. Lewis Atkins, Glendene CC/ Bike Trax, 3. Joe Bayfield, Team A.W.Cycles
B Riders: 1. David Dentus, Willesden CC, 2. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury R.C. 3.Simon Lewis, VC Londres
Women: 1. Samantha Van Gerbig, Oxford University, 2. Carrie Bedingfield, A.W.Cycles, 3. Janet Birkmyre, Twickenham CC.
2 laps Keirin:
A Riders: 1. Ian Holt, Viner Bikes/Agisko, 2. Roger Woodford, Willesden CC, 3. Joe Bayfield
B Riders: 1. David Dentus, 2. Simon Lewis, 3. Paul Ramsden, Team Trackcycling.co.uk.
Women: 1. Janet Birkmyre, 2. Samantha Van Gerbig, 3. Bridie Hindle, VC St.Raphael/ Waites Contracts.
A.W.Cycles 20 kms Endurance:
A Riders: 1. Bryan Taylor, 2. Ian Holt, 3. Joe Bayfield.
B Riders: 1. David Dentus, 2. Dylan Thompson, Twickenham CC, 3. Trevor Bradbury, Reading CC.
Women: 1. Samantha van Gerbig, 2. Carrie Bedingfield, 3. Janet Birkmyre
Championships
9 laps Individual pursuit titles:
Track League Championship
1. Bryan Taylor, VC Londres; 5m 24.22secs,
2. Ian Holt, Vinerbike/Agisko 5m 26.9 secs,
3. Ross Muir, Vinerbikes/Agisko 5m 34.55secs
British Cycling Central Division Championship
1.Steve Legg, Twickenham CC 5m 31.22s;
2. Gary Kristensen, Agiskoviner.com 5m 32.75secs;
3. Vince Halpern, A.W.Cycles, 5m 28.9secs.(qualifying time).