Published: 14 May 2006
Results and News from Reading Velodrome Racing May 8th 2006 from John Dennis
It was a hard day?s night for riders and motor pace drivers, with 10 Derny motor races on the programme at Reading Velodrome on Monday which brought two new names into the victor?s frame. Swedish visitor Freddie Johansson, multi champion in his native country, in his first ever racing experience on a cycle racing track, showed world class form in the A riders final of the 10 lap Derny paced race. He raced away from the moment the starting pistol was fired and was never caught despite vain efforts by Joe Bayfield (AW Cycles) who suffered another shock when Sam Sturgeon (Trackcycling.co.uk) produced a devastating turn of speed to snatch the runners up place from him. It was a reversal of the opening Hare & Hounds race result which Bayfield took from Twickenham?s Ben Lowe and Sturgeon.
From the 18 new riders registered on Monday, which brings the total, with only three weeks into the season, of 92 signatories, it was two more newcomers who dominated the B riders paced racing final, Toby Meadows and Chris Denman, both from Beyond Mountain Bikes, first and third separated by Hillingdon Slipstreamer Michael Wilmot.
The punishing speed which came from numerous breakaway attacks made the AW Cycles 20 kilometre race, closing event of the night, a devastating experience for many contestants. The 40 strong field which started the race was reduced by half that number by the time 20 of the 44 laps had been covered, and much of the speed was induced by Martin McCrossan, the man behind the impressive trackcycling.co.uk team. He repeatedly attacked and finally was joined by Joe Bayfield, and then soon by another AW Cycles team mate, Tim Bedingfield to make a trio which at one stage looked as if they would stay away to the finish. The Swedish visitor, Freddie Johansson was not going to let that happen however, and despite efforts to control the chase by other AW Cycles team members, he mustered enough help to ultimately reel in the escapees. But his inexperience ultimately undermined him as Joe Bayfield masterfully handled the final two laps and finally left the Swede suffering in second place at the finish line.
Of the B riders left in the race, it was juvenile (under 16 years) Michael Wilmot, Hillingdon Slipstreamers, who turned the tables on Derny race winner Toby Meadows, Beyond Mountain Bikes, to take premier place. He is destined to go much further!
Distinguished visitor on Monday and avid mentor to his countryman Freddie Johansson, the heroic victor of last year?s Hell of the North, the 165 miles Paris- Roubaix race, Magnus Backstedt received a warm reception from the spectator stands when introduced by commentator Mike Mullett who revealed that the giant Swede, now resident in South Wales with wife and two daughters, was on an inspection trip to judge if Reading Velodrome would be suitable for an outdoor attempt to break the European Derny motor paced one hour record which eluded when he first attacked in on the new 250 metre indoor Velodrome at Newport, South Wales. Backstedt must first fulfil his road race commitments which include the Tour de France, before he brings his track bike to Reading. Watch this space for further news, which will originate from Martin McCrossan, who handles publicity for Magnus.