Published: 11 May 2004
In the same way that Neil Cooper from the Reading CC dominated last years League Track racing at Palmer Park Velodrome, his young challenger, Lewis Atkins (these two finished the 2003 as League Champion and runner up) set his mark on the 2004 season which got under way at last after being rained off for the first three weeks. With Cooper away at Cardiff University for most of the season it will be interesting to see the pair battling it out on the very few occasions Neil will be able to race on his home Velodrome.
Still in the junior ranks with almost a diminutive appearance, Lewis Atkins doesn?t show his strength, speed or stamina when he is not astride his racing bike. In fact, to those who do not k now him, he must come as a very nasty shock when he unleashes his pedal power. He certainly revealed that ability in no uncertain manner last Monday, for he won all three races of the night, beating seasoned stars such as Rob English, a World Champion and British record holder on his recumbent bike, and no mean performer on a conventional machine, and Chris Richardson from Scunthorpe Polytechnic, who is a strong performer in endurance and paced races.
Atkins started his evening?s work with a win in the 10 lap Hare & Hounds A riders contest. In the 15 laps Derny motor paced final he was riding at nearly 40 mph and devastated both English and Richardson in the closing laps. When it came to the final event of the night, the 20 lap Endurance race, the wiseacres among the crowd thought that Atkins would be a spent force, but they got a shock when he proved to be as aggressive as ever, chasing down escapees, and featuring in a number of the breakaways . In the final dash to the line, the race was between a breakaway group of five and Lewis did it again with a dominating sprint up the home straight. Despite the rain which has hindered the start of the track racing season an encouraging number of newcomers to Reading Velodrome in both Senior and Youth Leagues launched themselves into the high speed racing world which augured well for an exciting season. It demonstrates a growth of interest in racing off the roads, particularly for the women with seven names in that department registered already.
Spectators who had never seen bike racing before were knocked out with the speed and skills shown by the competitors, they were astounded with the speeds approaching 40 mph in the Derny motor paced events.
Results:-
10 lap Hare & Hounds: A riders. 1. Lewis Atkins, PCA Ciclos Uno, 2. Tom Smith, Prestige VC.com, 3. Simon Howes, Sigma Sport. B riders 1. Rob Richardson, Hounslow & Dist, 2. Marc Wilmot, Team Quest, 33. Angus McInnes R.A.F.C.C.
Veterans 500 m scratch: 1. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury R,C. 2. Paul Ramsden, S.Western R.C. 3. Angus McInnes.
15 laps Derny motor paced: A riders. 1. Lewis Atkins, 2. Rob English, Private B.C. 3. Chris Richardson, Scunthorpe Poly. B riders. 1. Marc Wilmot, 2. Rob Richardson, 3. Angus McInnes.
20 laps Endurance: A riders. 1. Lewis Atkins, 2. Simon Howes, 3. Stewart House, API. B riders. 1. Rob Richardson, 2. I Greenstreet, 3. Jeff Baird, Twickenham.
Youth League
6 lap Scratch: U16. Christopher Bradbury,Palmer Park Velo,2. Gareth Dickinson,Team Luciano, 3. James Boynan, Team Luciano. U14 1. Sam Serruya, PPV .2. Michael Wilmot, Hillingdon Slipstreamers, 3.Chris Legge, PPV, U12 1. Mark Baxter, PPV, 2. Stephen Bradbury PPV, 3. Matthew Legg, PPV.
1 lap Sprint: U16 1.Chris Bradbury, 2. Gareth Dickinson, 3. James Boynan. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmot, 3. Chris Legg. U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Legg, 3. Stephen Bradbury.
4 lap Hare & Hounds: U16. 1. Gareth Dickinson, 2. Chris Bradbury, 3. Rob Clark, PPV. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmot, 3. Emily Hogge, PPV. U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Legg. 3. Stephen Bradbury.
8 laps Scratch: U16. 1. Gareth Dickinson, 2. James Boynan, 3. Christopher Bradbury. U14. 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Christopher Legg, 3. Michael Wilmot. U12. 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Legg, 3. Stephen Bradbury.