Published: 7 August 2007
- Janet Birkmyre and Emma Patterson battling it out in a sprint heat
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The weather continues to be good and it brought out probably the largest field so far for Palmer Parks , AW Cycles track league, and tonight's events included the final league Sprint competition which has 3 riders with unassailable leads but much pride to up-hold, especially Senior Womens rider, Janet Birkmyre, who is unbeaten so far this year.
- David Sinclair wins the bunch sprint in the Scratch race
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The Senior events opened with a 10 lap Scratch race and 40 riders slowly picked up the pace and with lots of attacking but no one escaping, it came down to a mass sprint with David Sinclair holding off Alex Aldham-Breary for the win with vastly improved Emma Patterson this season, the first women home.
- Alan Parkinson working hard in The Devil
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
In the nights Senior Devil, with such a large field, it was going to make it tough for the riders and harder for the judges, but survive everyone did, and it was Michael Wilmot who bested David Sinclair and Chris Legg and the final run for the line.
The Unknown distance, always about 7 laps but proved to be about 9 tonight had another very fast group pace and in the romp down the home straight Neil Cooper cleared away from Ian Greenstreet with David Sinclair finishing in the top 3 again.
The league Sprint competition is always a great exercise for tactical minds and with the heats producing few surprises in the Senior A's, it did throw up a couple in the B's and Ladies, with Eddie Sobieralski and Lara Wann not making their respective finals.
Sobieralski has an unassailable lead in his competition but missed the final by a tyre width. Wann - who is refocussing her attentions towards study this year couldn't contend with the pace in her heat.
The Sprint Finals produced some exciting finishes with riders 3 or 4 abreast on the home straight, and in the Senior A's competition leader David Jack hit the front with 150m to go but couldn't hold off the charges from Sam Serruya, Ian Greenstreet and Neil Cooper, with them finishing in that order. Serruya showing his blistering pace is back after a spell in the doldrums. The Senior B's had a similarly exciting finish with Paul Ramsden leading into the home straight but not able to sustain it to the line with Rob Drinkwater cruising past him in a bigger gear to win with Martin Dawkins taking second and Ramsden holding on to third.
- Janet Birkmyre and Dani King battle it out in the Ladies Sprint Final
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The Womens final had multi world and masters National Champion Janet Birkmyre up against 3 riders who are all less than half her age, but Birkmyre, who only took up track racing a few years ago, has an incredible turn of pace and is contemplating riding with the senior men next year. The final produced a clinical display from Birkmyre as she contended first with the tactical start of Talent team rider Dani King (who is no slouch), and then when the pace really got going King and Birkmyre cleared away from the rest with Birkmyre opening up the after burners with 100 to go and winning comfortably from King with under 16's Georgie Hardy taking third.
- The Youth Sprints were hotly contested
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The Youth events produced their typical brand of hustle, bustle and excitement with so many winners determined by the last few metres. Many of the battles, like the one between Under 14's John Paul and Stephen Bradbury, have been going on all season. Bradbury is leading this particular battle winning 3 events this evening but Paul is improving rapidly and is a very determined fellow. Stand out riders tonight included 3 out of 4 wins for the aforementioned Georgie Hardy, who having come back from a break this season, is showing some great speed.
Cameron Swarbrick, from the local Palmer Park Velo club, is showing that he is on the improve list too, winning once tonight and placing twice in other races.
- The last few riders in the Youth Devil
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
George Withers took the opportunity whilst Daniel Maslin is away, to take 3 out of his 4 races, finishing 2nd in his 4th and will take this confidence into next weeks competition.
Rosie Serruya showed she is exceptionally consistent this season as if she isn't winning, she is on the podium. Tonight she took one win and three second placings.
- The sun sets on the 20K
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
But to the final Event of the evening, the AW Cycles 20km event and what an event it was this evening. Attacks early on from Phil Jakszta and Sean Bannister had the field on the defensive as they stayed out front for 10 laps before more attacking from the main field had them brought back into the fold. Big efforts from Chris Legg, Rob King and David Sinclair all looked like working at various points in the race and although Leggs effort near the end had the crowd cheering loudly, it was to no avail as an attack from Sinclair in the final 3 laps had Legg back in the chasing pack and him off the front with a great gap.
- Ian Greenstreet wins the 20K endurance race
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
Sinclair, with the bell for last lap ringing in his ears, held a 70 metre lead from a charging Ian Greenstreet, and for all money, it looked like Sinclair may just hold onto his lead, but Greenstreet closed him down with his distinctive high cadence pedalling style and as they hit the home straight it was Greenstreet who had clear air and took the victory with a punch to the air, with Sinclair taking second and Chris Legg third.
Remember - entries on the line are available for the Bordeaux-Paris event on the 9th of September held at Palmer Park, starting at 12 noon.
Cash prizes, sprint competition too. Come along.