Published: 28 July 2004
News and Results from John Dennis at Palmer Park Velodrome 27th July
10 laps Hare & Hounds
1.Paul Ramsden, South Western R.C.,2. Ian Greenstreet, Newbury R.C., 3. Jeff Baird, Twickenham CC; Ladies 1. Cheryl Owens, Twickenham CC, 2. Abby Jackson, Team Luciano-Fondriest. 3. Marianne Harding, Ciclos Uno.
500 metres scratch
1. Neil Cooper, Reading CC, 2. Alex Pederson, Reading CC, 3. David Jack, Twickenham CC; Veterans. 1. Stephen Benton, Team Trackcycling.co.uk,
2. Ian Greenstreet, 3. Jeff Baird; Ladies. 1. Jane Birkmyre, Twickenham CC, 2. Cheryl Owens, 3. Abby Jackson
Unknown Distance
1. Neil Cooper, 2. Simon Howes, Sigma Sport, 3. Stephen Benton; Ladies
1. Cheryl Owens, 2. Abby Jackson,3. Jane Birkmyre.
10 laps Derny paced
1. Lewis Atkins, PCA Ciclos Uno, 2. Simon Howes,3. Neil Cooper; Veterans.
1. Jeff Baird, 2. Ian Greenstreet, 3. Paul Cooper, Reading CC. Best Junior, Scott Elliott, PCA Ciclos Uno, Ladies. 1. Cheryl Owens, 2. Jane Birkmyre, 3. Abby Jackson.
20 kms Endurance
A riders 1. Neil Cooper, 2. Lewis Atkins, 3. Sam Sturgeon, Evans Cycles. B riders 1. Jeff Baird, 2. Ian Greenstreet, 3. Paul Ramsden. Ladies. 1. Cheryl Owens, 2. Jane Birkmyre. Prime Winners. Simon Howes, Alex Petersen, Phil Roberts, Reading CC.
Youth League
6 laps Devil
U16. 1. James Boyman, Team Luciano, 2. Robert Clark, Palmer Park Velo, 3. Stuart Whitby, PPV. U14 1. Sam Serruya, PPV, 2. Christopher Legg, PPV, 3. Edward Jakszta, Hillingdon Slipstreamers. U12 1. Mark Baxter, PPV, 2. Matthew Legg PPV, 3. Matthew Gittings, PPV
2 laps Handicap
U16 1. Robert Clark, 2. Tom Withers, PPV, 3. James Boyman. U14 1. Edward Jakszta, 2. Sam Serruya, 3. Christopher Legg U12 1. Richard Barlow, PPV, 22. Matthew Legg, 3. George Withers
6 laps Scratch
U16 1. James Boyman, 2. Robert Clarke, 3. Stuart Whitby. U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Edward Jakszta, 3. Christopher Legg, U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Richard Barlow, 3. Matthew Legg.
10 laps Block Handicap
U16 11. James Boyman, 2. Robert Clark, 3. Tom Withers,U14 1. Sam Serruya, 2. Christopher Legg, 3. Robert Jackson, Farnborough & Camberley. U12 1. Mark Baxter, 2. Matthew Gittings, 3. Richard Barlow.
Sports enthusiasts watching the exploits of Lance Armstrong, and others too, in the Tour de France and seeing just how tough top racing cyclists have to be, will be equally impressed by the tenacity of some of the young racing cyclists in this country. Take the example of Lewis Atkins who appeared, after two weeks away road racing, at Palmer Park Velodrome on Monday evening. The sixteen year old, who ran second to Neil Cooper in the Track League overall Championship last year and is currently dominating this year?s title table did not seem to be quite at his best. I asked his father, Phil, what the reason was for his lack of sparkle. Only then was the drama revealed when he told me that Lewis, engaged in a 4 day stage road race in Belgium two weeks ago crashed heavily when two riders fell off in front of him. In addition to various bruises and cuts he dislocated three vertebrae which then developed a sac of fluid on his back which required urgent medical and physiotherapy treatment. However, 6 days later his toughness showed through when he was placed fourth in the British Junior road race Championship, a 70 miles slog in the Midlands, and then the next day he was at Reading defending his current top placing in the Track League table.
It took the sheer speed of Reading?s Neil Cooper to prevent Atkins winning the 20 kilometre Endurance race, but he had already won the Derny motor paced final after defeating the two antagonists Cooper and Simon Howes who had battled throughout the race. Those two, in their anxiety to crack each other had produced speeds approaching 40 mph until with a lap left to the finish they cracked and young Lewis Atkins sailed past both of them to take the honours.
On vacation from University Neil Cooper, who presently works in Asda supermarket, is fast regaining his form and clearly demonstrated the return of his speed by winning three of the main events on the programme.
The popularity of track racing at Reading has attracted the attention of a band of riders from Twickenham. Last week David Jack surprised everyone with a breakaway win in the Endurance race. This week his club mate Jeff Baird took three prizes, including best B rider in the Endurance event and the Club?s two lady riders Cheryl Owens, and a newcomer to outdoor track racing Jane Birkmyre dominated the Ladies events on the programme.
This year has seen a revival of Ladies racing at the Velodrome and this situation will be strengthened by the Prime Coaching initiative with their ?Training and Racing Day? for track novices at the Velodrome on Saturday, August 14th (see separate story).