Published: 10 June 2008
An action packed night of racing in perfect summer evening conditions was held last night at the park, with the League Pursuit finals, Keirin Sprints, a smattering of endurance races and a whole bunch of youth action too!
- Action in the Under 14s competition
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The youths started off the proceedings with a one lap handicap which was won by Joseph Linehan (U10/12's) and John Ellis (U14's). This was quickly followed by a 6 lap Handicap which had the field spread all over the track and had Dan Maslin (U14) and Max Stedman (U10/12) taking the honours.
A precursor to the nights main Senior events is usually a 10 lap warm up race and tonight it was the turn of the A's versus the B's in a Hare & Hounds race. With the B's starting half a lap up it was an all out assault from the A's to haul them in as quickly as possible and they did this in 5 laps and then stretch the field out, shelling bodies quickly as the leaders blasted their way to the line. Neil Cooper taking the first of several victories on the night, with Martin Dawkins second and John Paul third.
- Legg winning the League Pursuit
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
After many hotly contested qualifying heats the previous track evening 2 weeks ago, the finalists in the Leagues mens and women's Individual Pursuit were found. In form Junior Chris Legg was up against top x-rowing man Nick English and he continued this top form to win comfortably from English, by 16 seconds.
- Birkmyre winning the League Pursuit
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The Women's final was a much closely fought affair with a top Youth versus Veterans Elite battle. Under 16 youth rider Harriett Owen has shown fine form this season winning her National Omniums, as has Elite rider Janet Birkmyre. After 3 laps of the 5, Birkmyre had a lead of 2 metres and eeked out another 5 metres on the penultimate lap but with it still being so close, a fast finish from either rider could have it going either way. Birkmyre though kept up the pressure going on to win by 2 seconds or about 10 metres overall.
A senior Unknown distance was the next race which had local press officer David Jack, coming back from injury, sneaking off the front to gain a quarter of a lap and holding off the field as long as he could but with no idea of when the bell would be rung, the field gave chase. Jack was caught as the bell rang and it was a mass charge for the final lap with Neil Cooper taking his second win of the night, with effervescent Robbie Richardson taking third from Sam Sturgeon.
The Japanese Keirin Sprint heats were held in quick fashion for the Youths and Seniors and it brought some of the fastest regional riders to the line.
In the Women's final Janet Birkmyre easily drew away from her chasers to win from Emma Patterson.
The Youth Finals had Daniel Maslin winning from David Swan in the Under 14's with Daniel Lansley beating Max Stedman to the line in the Under 10/12's
- Clive Sturgeon drives the derny in the Keirin final with eventual winner Lee Povey in second place
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The Senior finals were both huge battles and in the B's it was Sam Grant who pipped John Paul and Stephen Bradbury.
The A's was an intense final with David Jack taking the derny followed by Lee Povey, Sam Sturgeon, Rob King , Neil Cooper and at the tail of the line was Sam Serruya.
As the derny pulled off the track, Jack had left a slight gap and used this to accelerate up to the derny as it departed. He gained a space of 3 or 4 bike lengths with Povey watching the competition. Jack had his head down and really going for it and Povey realised he needed to close the gap , and did so as they hit the home straight. Povey powered away with Sturgeon on his wheel, Cooper close at hand with Serruya chasing hard. At the line Povey held the lead to win from Sturgeon, Cooper , Jack and Serruya. Very close indeed.
There was quickly time for a Senior Devil and it was Chris Legg who took a closely fought sprint from John Warnock and Rob King in the A's, with Stephen Bradbury winning the B's from Dave Peck and Paul Cooper.
- Cooper taking the final sprint in the AW Cycles 20km event
- Photograph courtesy of swarbrick.com
The final event , as always, the AW Cycles 20km endurance race, was as usual a fast and furious event. Many attacks from Gavin Spiers, Dave Jack, Lee Povey and Eddy Sobieralski plus the constant pressure from Chris Legg had the field strung out for most of the race. As the lap board counted down to 10 to go there were still 30 riders in the mix but a puncture to Jack had him come out as the race blew apart. Jack got back in 2 laps later and joined as the lead group of 10 riders moved away from the main field. The pressure was building as riders kept powering away to maintain a lead and not let anyone escape and as the bell lap sounded Jack forced his way to the front, having had 2 "rest" laps whilst his wheel was changed, and he buried himself down the back straight to stretch everyone to their limits. As he hit the home straight Neil Cooper and Chris Legg accelerated past at pace, with Ian Greenstreet and John Warnock on their wheels. It was to finish with Cooper taking the win, Legg second and Greenstreet third. Robbie Richardson won the B's race from Alan Parkinson with Emma Patterson riding well to finish first lady.
An excellent nights racing in brilliant weather. Lets hope it brings fast recovery for two of the leagues regular volunteers and long standing members John Dennis (pace maker fitted last week) and Colin Garnham ( broken collarbone/pelvis from bike accident last week). Get well soon guys.
See you next week for the Divisional Sprint Competition.
David Jack