Published: 13 March 2006
News from John Dennis 13 March 2006
Reading Velodrome Racing the operating title adopted by Reading Track Cycling League to give it more purpose, identity and public visibility, is heading for a best ever season in 2006 at Palmer Park Stadium, Reading, Berkshire. Icing on the cake will be when it stages two National Championships for British Cycling on Sunday, June 4th.
The series of 19 Monday race meetings including Youths (from 10-16 years) starting 7 p.m. and Seniors at 7.20 p.m. commences on April 24th and runs until September 11th. Exceptions are Bank Holiday Mondays May 29th and August 28th when there will be no racing. However, Bank Holiday Monday, May 1st is included in the series and starting at 1 p.m. will be a big day with the highlight being the 50 kilometre two-stage Bordeaux- Paris style event which this year will be a Memorial race in memory of Bill Bannister the renowned West London timekeeper (Marlboro C & AC) and long time BCF official, who died in 2005.
Stage I of this event is a 20 kms scratch race with the first 10 riders to cross the finish line after 40 laps qualifying for Stage II. Following this intermediate sprint, after four more laps the race finishes with a separate prize list on offer. Stage II is a 30 kms Derny motor-paced race which also carries its own prize list, bringing the total sum for the event to £250 donated by the BC Central Region.
Sunday, June 4th will be a ?Grand? Day, with close to £1,000 in prizes on offer when Reading Velodrome Racing promotes BC Men?s and Women?s National Derny motor paced Championships, a round of the Sprinter?s League and a classic Quarter K 20 kms Endurance (£250 sponsored by A.W.Cycles) who will also provide prizes for the Women?s Championship. The Men?s Championship is sponsored by Polytechnic CC?s old members to the tune of another £250 with supporting events completing the total nearing £1,000.
The regular Monday series will always finish with a 20 kms Endurance event and following the success of the 2005 series, A.W.Cycles will again provide the awards.
The racing season will close on a high on September 11th. A break from the traditional ?no prize points? formula will see £250 up for grabs. The John Ralph Memorial 20 kms points score has been granted National status by British cycling and will bring the season?s National Endurance League to finality with £200 support from media sponsor the Reading Evening Post newspaper. Another £50 cash will be on the table for the West London Cycling Association?s revived 500 metres Sprint Championship which is open to members of Clubs affiliated to the WLCA.
In addition to Reading Velodrome Racing?s own Championships for Juniors, Seniors, Ladies and Veterans, British Cycling Central Region?s full range of Championships, sprint, Olympic team sprint, Club team pursuit, individual pursuit, 20 kms Endurance and Women?s Omnium, will feature between May and July.