Published: 25 April 2006

From John Dennis

The shower of medals that Britain?s elite track riders collected at the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia and World Championships in Bordeaux in France, has undoubtedly inspired many up and coming young riders who raced at the opening meeting at Reading's Palmer park Velodrome on Monday. The meeting attracted competitors from far and wide to try their luck on the fast surface of the track. Great Yarmouth was probably the furthest place away from Reading, but Oxford, Portsmouth and Brighton and all points around London all made a contribution.

However, none of them could stand in the way of local man Joe Bayfield, now a member of A.W. Cycles all powerful team. Joe, who made a tentative return to competition last year after a life threatening motor cycle accident, powered his way to three victories in the opening 10 lap Hare & Hounds, the 2 laps Keirin (motor paced) and the AW Cycles sponsored 20 kilometre Endurance races. Nevertheless Bayfield's domination did not go unchallenged, for another local rising star, Sam Serruya, who has now joined the AW Cycles backed team, showed both super speed and tactical guile to take runners up prize behind him in the A riders Keirin final. They both put Lee Povey, Brighton?s top sprinter into third spot.

The opening night of the season brought more than 40 competitors to Palmer Park, an unexpectedly high number, which will build up and probably exceed 2005's total of 150 + as the year progresses. The most encouraging aspect of the evening was the appearance of many newcomers to track racing. John, the father of multi medal world champion Rob Hayles, who coaches South Coast riders, brought his latest find Ben Heinrich from Portsmouth, and intends to introduce several more promising riders as the weeks pass. However, the strength of the AW cycles team could not be denied in the Endurance. Tim Bedingfield made an early solo breakaway, and it took some time for Joe Bayfield to join him out front. But the combination of sheer hard work from the two leaders, and effective control of the main field by other AW Team members guaranteed a lap gain by Bayfield and Bedingfield. Numerous attempts to prevent the gain ensured a high speed race which was completed in less than 28 minutes, an average of 1 min 4 secs for every kilometre covered.

With the two 'Bs' now back within the bunch with their first and second places secure all eyes were trained on the final sprint for lesser placings. Surprise of the night was when Bayfield showed his great strength and crossed the finish in front. It was left to Michael Wilmott from Hillingdon to snatch the third spot, but where was last year?s Champion Bryan Taylor, VC Londres, who could have been expected to be a strong challenger? It transpired that he had recently taken on the responsibility of coaching Reading?s most promising female Junior. National Champion and record breaker and Evening Post Personality of the year, Lara Wann. He led her through the turmoil of the Endurance race to take best Ladies award and sacrificed his own chances in doing so.

Results

Seniors

10 laps Hare and Hounds

1. Joe Bayfield, Team AW Cycles, 2. Ben Lowe, Twickenham CC, 3. Marc Wilmott, Team Quest

2 laps Keirin, A riders

1. Joe Bayfield, 2. Sam Serroya, Team AW Cycles, 3. Lee Povey, Team Trackcycling.com
B Riders 1. Chris Bradbury, Palmer Park Velo,2. Phil Atkins, Cycle Uno, 3. Rob Drinkwater, Twickenham CC
Ladies 1. Lara Wann, VC Londres, 2. Emma Patterson, Palmer Park Velo

Devil

1. Ben Lowe, 2. Alex Petersen, Team AW Cycles, 3. Sam Serroya

Unknown Distance

1. Michael Wilmott, Hillingdon CC, 2. Ben Lowe, 3. Karl Freeman, Team Milton Keynes

AW Cycles 20 kms Endurance, A riders

1. Joe Bayfield, 2. Tim Bedingfield, Team AW Cycles, 3. Marc Wilmott
B Riders 1. Michael Wilmott, 2. Murray Hogg, Reading CC, 3. Trevor Bradbury, Reading CC
Best Lady Lara Wann.
Time: 27 mins 54 secs

Youths

6 laps Block handicap

Under 16 1. Chris Legg, 2. Rob Jackson, 3. Oliver Newlan
Under 14 1. Harriet Owen, 2. Mark Baxter, 3. Stephen Bradbury
Under 12 1. Jamil Gaida, 2. Frazier Carr, 3. George Withers

2 lap Keirin

U16 1. Chris Legg, 2. Oliver Newlan, 3. Alex Wildon
U14 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Harriet Owen
U12 1. Jamil Gaida, 2. Cameron Swarbrick

4 laps Hare & Hounds

U16 1. Chris Legg, 2. Luke Merriless, 3. Eli Lyons
U14 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Harriet Owen

10 laps scratch

U16 1. Luke Merriless, 2. Rob Jackson, 3. Chris Legg
U14 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Stephen Bradbury, 3. Harriet Owen
U12 1. George Withers, 2. Jamil Gaida, 3. Frazier Carr