Published: 13 September 2005
From John Dennis
Andy Wilkins, the AW of AW Cycles must be highly satisfied with his sponsorship of the Reading Velodrome Racing programme when he reflects on the number of successful youths and juniors who have emerged from the season long series at Palmer Park Stadium, for here lies the future of track racing in this country. Monday?s finale for the season was a prime example with a host of youngsters snatching prizes and confidently showing that they have the talent to hit Championship class (some are there already) for the future.
Local lad, Sam Serruya, Palmer Park Velo, won prizes in three of the evenings four events, Lewis Atkins, Glendene/Biketrax won the Keirin for A riders and was placed in two more events. James Boyman, Agiskoviner.com won the 10 laps scratch and two more prizes. Twickenham CC?s Ed Allen proved best B rider in the 20 kilometre Endurance which followed his runners up position in the 10 lap scratch. Ben Lowe, Twickenham was best in the B riders Devil and third in the Keirin and making his first appearance at Reading, Alex Dowsett, Glenden/Biketrax challenged last year?s League Champion, Lewis Atkins in the Keirin final and ran second to Bryan Taylor, this year?s League champion, in the Devil, and no wonder since he already has a spectacular record for a 16 year old. He is 10 mile and 25 mile British Junior Champion, holds the 10 mile competition record with 19 mins 13 secs, has won the renowned GHS Under 16 10 mile three years in succession and is also British junior road race title holder. Home town for Dowsett is Chelmsford, Essex but he promises to put Reading racing on his calendar for 2006.
In the senior brigade Bryan Taylor, VC Londres whose home race track is Herne Hill in South East London, closed his season?s racing at Reading as he started, indomitable in the 20 kilometre Endurance event. This week the race was decided on sprint points contested every 5 laps, but he could not be beaten and much the same could be said of him in the Devil event. Reigning National Champion, Bryan is not expected regularly at Reading next year since his home track will be back in business and the race night there clashes with Reading?s Monday night fixtures.
Taylor did not have it all his own way for local man, Tom Smith, Vinerbikes/Agisko and Lewis Atkins, with Alex Dowsett made life difficult for him in the A riders section. It was young riders again in the B section of the Endurance race with Toby Meadows, Agiskoviner.com splitting Ed Allen, Twickenham and James Boyman, Agiskoviner (all 16 years of age or under) in the dash to the finish line.
There was a nostalgic touch to the meeting when the W.London Cycling Association revived their long lost 500 m sprint title for the W.Hinds Trophy, the first time since 1986 when it was held on the now lost Slough Velodrome. There was no doubt about the destiny of the Trophy this year as David Dentus, Willesden CC demonstrated an unbeatable turn of speed to emerge winner of all three sprint races which determined the title, over Rob Richardson, Hounslow & Dist. And Paul Williams, Bath Road Club.
Photos
Photographs of the events are available courtesy of DGS Cycling Photography and and swarbrick.com.
Results:
Seniors
10 laps Scratch:
A Riders 1. Steve Legg, Twickenham CC, 2. Tom Smith, Vinerbikes/Agisko, 3. Lewis Atkins, Glendene CC/.BikeTrax
B Riders 1. James Boyman, Agiskoviner.com, 2. Ed Allen, Twickenham, 3. Sam Serruya, Palmer Park Velo
Ladies 1. Lara Wann, Agiskoviner, 2. Samantha Van Gerbig, Oxford University.
4 laps Keirin:
A Riders 1. Lewis Atkins, 2. Alex Dowsett, Glendene CC/BikeTrax, 3. Sam Sturgeon, Trackcycling.net
B Riders 1. Sam Serruya, 2. James Boyman, 3. Ben Lowe, Twickenham CC
Ladies 1. Lara Wann, Agiskoviner, 2. Samantha Van Gerbig, 3. Carrie Bedingfield, Team AW Cycles.
Devil:
A Riders 1. Bryan Taylor, VC Londres, 2. Alex Dowsett, 3. Stuart Heade, SBR
B Riders 1. Ben Lowe, 2. Sam Serruya, 3. Joel Winter, Agiskoviner
Ladies 1. Sophie Terry, 2. Samantha Van Gerbig, 3. Rohan Battison, Reading CC
20 kilometre Points Endurance for the John Ralph Memorial Trophy
A Riders 1. Bryan Taylor, 2. Lewis Atkins, 3. Tom Smith
B Riders 1. Ed Allen, 2. Toby Meadows, Agiskoviner, 3. James Boyman
Ladies 1. Samantha Van Gerbig, 2. Sophie Terry, 3. Rohan Battison
W. London Cycling Association 500 metre Sprint Championship for W. Hinds Trophy:
1. David Dentus, Willesden CC, 2. Rob Richardson, Hounslow & Dist. 3. Paul Williams, Bath Road Club.
Youth
6 laps scratch:
U16 1. Robert Clark, Palmer park Velo, 2. Tom Withers,PPv, 3. Eli Lyons, PPV
U14 1. Chris Legg,PPV, 2. Samuel Grant,Hillingdon Slipstreamers, 3. Robert Jackson, Agiskoviner.com
U12 1. Stephen Bradbury, PPV, 2. Jamil Gaida, PPV, 3. Frazier Carr, PPV
4 laps Hare & Hounds:
U16 1. Tom Withers, 2. Robert Clark, 3. Eli Lyons
U14 1. Chris Legg, 2. Robert Jackson, 3. Matt Legg, PPV
U12 1. Jamil Gaida, 2. George Withers, PPV, 3. Stephen Bradbury
1 lap Sprint:
U16 1. Robert Clark, 2. Eli Lyons, 3. Tom Withers
U14 1. Samuel Grant, 2. Sophie Terry, Interbike RT, 3. Matt Gittings, PPV
U12 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Jamil Gaida, 3. Frazier Carr
10 laps Scratch:
U16 1. Robert Clark, 2. Tom Withers, 3. Eli Lyons
U14 1. Chris Legg, 2. Samuel Grant 3. Jamie Fooks, PPV
U12 1. Stephen Bradbury, 2. Jamil Gaida, 3. George Withers.