Published: 4 September 2007
Palmer Parks , AW Cycles track league was awash with events this evening. The Divisional Omnium for Women, the WCLA Sprint Championships and the John Ralph Memorial 20k Points race were part of a full menu of races for seniors, youths and women.
- Action from the Senior Hare and Hounds
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
First up though, a round up of youth races and with many of these dynamo's back from the youth and junior nationals, it was always going to be fast and exciting. Stephen Bradbury continued his dominance B category with victories in the Devil, Hare & Hounds and Scratch races, Daniel Maslin won took three victories in the C category (Devil, Sprint & Hare & Hounds) with Harriett Owen winning her two evenings events (Sprint & Scratch). In the A category John Hobbs won all of his events and will be looking for more competition next year, we're sure.
- Janet Birkmyre wins the Womens Omnium Sprint Competition and Divisional Omnium Championship
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The Womens Divisional Omnium was lower on numbers this year due to the weather and reshuffling of the program and the favourite was always going to be the current National Womens Omnium Champion for the third year running, Janet Birkmyre, and she did not disappoint, with comfortable victories in all three events (Points Race, 500m Sprint, Pursuit). A great ride by youth rider Rosie Serruya to finish second overall and Rohan Battison taking third place.
The West London Cycling Association Sprint competition is always an exciting affair and with all those entered having competed throughout the year in the Leagues Sprint and Keirin competition, everyone was in a fighting mood for places in the final. The heats produced some close racing and with two heats of five, there wasn't much space in the final with only two places per heat. Neil Cooper and Eddie Sobieralski went through in the first heat with Roger Woodford and David Jack securing their places in the final in a close second heat.
- WCLA Podium with the champion Neil Cooper flanked by Woodford left and Jack right
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
The final had Jack take the lead with Soberialski on his wheel followed by Cooper and Woodford. Some serious pace was injected by Jack on the back straight as he tried to gain a gap on his competition. Sobieralski saw the jump and reacted and as the entered the banking leading on the home straight they were side by side. Jack kept up the pace but it was the two younger competitors Cooper and Woodford who charged over the top as they hit the home straight with Cooper really putting the foot to the gas and he held a bike length lead as they hit the line and recorded a great win to hold up the WCLA trophy for 2007.
WCLA Podium with the champion Neil Cooper flanked by Woodford left and Jack right.
The John Ralph Memorial 20km Points Race is an annual event held on the last night of the league and as a 44 lap race, with points every 5 laps and with the top endurance riders of the league this year all on the start line, it is hotly contested.
- John Ralph Memorial Points race winner - David Sinclair
- Photograph courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography
First to make a big move was David Sinclair, who has been active in every trip to the league this year, winning at least one senior event every night, and he was to open up a sizeable gap on the field, taking the first points. The next to attempt an attack was Rob King and he hung out there for 4 laps before being caught before the points lap. Sam Sturgeon was ever present and accumulated points on a regular basis whilst others took their chances off the front including some great attacking from youngster Chris Legg.
Guest rider and soon to depart for Australian shores, Gary Kristensen, had a huge dig at mid distance with Sinclair and Sturgeon for company and they shared the next points.
With Sinclair taking every opportunity to escape, this time alone, the bunch fractured regularly but big efforts from David Jack kept him within striking distance and eventually he was brought back into the fold before a game Hannah Bussey had a turn alone off the front, but as she had chosen a sprint lap, she was swamped on the back straight as the sprint really got going. This time Neil Cooper took the points but with time and laps running out and no points on the last lap, it was easy to tell that Sinclair had amassed enough points with his aggressive and proactive approach and he took the win and the prize money in the John Ralph Memorial Trophy. Sam Sturgeon finished second with Neil Cooper taking his third podium placing of the evening.