Published: 21 July 2004
Story and results from Palmer Park, Reading. July 19th 2004 John Dennis
Results:-
10 laps Hare and Hounds: 1. Murray Hogge, Reading C.C., 2. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury R.C., 3. Paul Ramsden, South Western R.C.
2 laps Keirin: 1. Neil Cooper, Reading C.C., 2. Sam Sturgeon, Evans Cycles, 3. Izak van Coller, Velocity; Veterans: 1. Rob Richardson, Hounslow & District C.C., 2. Paul Cooper, Reading C.C., 3. Murray Hogge; Ladies. 1. Cheryl Owens, Twickenham C.C., 2. Jo Hindley, VC Londres, 3. Tracy Austin, 21st Century Airports.
10 laps Scratch: A.Riders 1. Alex Petersen, Reading C.C., 2. N.Cooper, 3. David Jack, Twickenham C.C. B Riders 1. Ian Greenstreet, 2. Paul Ramsden, 3. Jeff Baird, Twickenham C.C. Best lady: Cheryl Owens
Unknown Distance: 1. James Boyman, Team Luciano, 2. Alex Petersen, 3. Phil Roberts.
1 lap Ladies Sprint: 1. Jo Tindley, 2. Cheryl Owens, 3. Tracy Austin.
20 kms Endurance: A riders. 1. David Jack, 2. Neil Cooper, 3. Alex Petersen. B riders 1. Ian Greenstreet, 2. Trevor Bradbury, Reading C.C., 3. Jeff Baird.
Youth League results.
6 lap Hare & Hounds: U16, 1. James Boyman, Team Luciano, 2. Christopher Bradbury, Palmer Park Velo, 3, Edward Allen, Twickenham C.C. U14 1.Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmott, Hillingdon Slipstreamers,3. Gavin Mitchell, U12 1. Mark Baxter, Palmer Park Velo, 2 . Matthew Legg, PPV, 3. Stephen Bradbury, PPV
1 lap Sprint: U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Christopher Bradbury, 3. Edward Allen. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmott, 3. Gavin Mitchell. U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Gittings, Palmer park Velo, 3. Matthew Legg.
4 laps Block Handicap: U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Christopher Bradbury, 3. Edward Allen. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmot, 33. Emily Hogge, Palmer Park Velo. U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Stephen Baxter, 3. Matthew Legg
10 laps Scratch: U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Christopher Bradbury, 3. Edward Allen. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Michael Wilmot, 3. Emily Hogge, U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Legg, 3. Matthew Gittings.
Report
With only one month to the start of the Athens Olympics, Persil advertisements featuring riders in the British Cycling team are starting to flood the daily scene across the country, with the result that thousands of youngsters set their minds on Velodrome racing. One example popped up in Monday?s racing programme at Palmer Park. Nine years old George Withers, who, having briefly entered the world of cycle racing through the Saturday morning sessions organised by Palmer Park Velo youth club at the Velodrome was determined to get into the real racing scene. At his tender age officials doubted whether he had mastered the skills of racing on a fixed wheel bike, (no change speed gears and no brakes) but he had reached that level at the Saturday club sessions, so was allowed to compete in the Youth league?s youngest (under 12 years) division. He didn?t break any records, or beat any of his older opponents either, but he was delighted with his debut in the real racing world, and cannot wait for next Monday?s programme.
Reading Velodrome Racing is well known for its development of young riders, and two of its past competitors, Roger Hammond and Bradley Wiggins have already gone on to win World Championship titles, the way things are going at Palmer Park that achievement is again moving into the target area.
Young George Withers aside, the eyes of the talent spotters will soon be focused on James Boyman, the Farnborough & Camberley club rider in the Luciano team and Izak Van Coller, Velocity Racing Team, who travelled up from Portsmouth because of a lack of track racing in his area. These two youngsters, both in their sixteenth year, made a notable impression with their performances. Boyman, still young enough to contest the Youth League won everything in sight there on Monday, then moved into the ?big boys? events to win Senior Unknown Distance race and then be a star performer in the 20 kilometre Endurance race. Van Coller, riding his first ever Derny motor paced race finished third behind Reading?s two other young stars, Neil Cooper and Sam Sturgeon, and then also made his presence felt in the long distance (44 laps) race. He thought the journey up from he South Coast well worthwhile and will no doubt become a regular visitor.
The surprise of the night?s racing came in the very last race, the Endurance, with spectators banging on the safety fence boards to encourage David Jack of Twickenham to capitalise on his last minute solo breakaway effort. He took off from the main bunch with four laps left in the race. At first the others failed to respond and then, as Jack built up his lead, they started to take notice, but it was too late, and the Twickenham man, no doubt inspired by the Rugby connections in his club?s home town, put the ball over the bar to win the race by a clear margin which left the two Reading C.C.?s top men to fight out who took second place, Guess who did that? Cooper of course!