May 9, 2009

Under cloudy skies, a total of 36 seniors and 34 youths signed on for the third meet of the season at Brighton's Preston Park track. The healthy state of the Sussex League was reinforced by the arrival of no fewer than eight new riders, ranging from a national champion to ever-so-keen 5-year-old Oscar Denman-Gould. However, with two-thirds of the programme completed, unfortunately racing was curtailed following a crash involving In-Gear Development Squad's James McCarron.

SENIORS

With league leader Felix English and last week's successful raider Bryan Taylor both absent tonight, Preston Park's aces might reasonably have thought they were in for a points bonanza. However, that was without reckoning on the arrival of Jean Spies, the reigning South Africa keirin and Olympic sprint champion, who is currently enjoying a season racing for In-Gear in Sussex. This star rider has been track-racing for five years and is a member of his country's national squad, and he certainly brought some spark to the racing.

Jason Salter was the early attacker in the traditional 8-lap hors d'oeuvre, while the bunch was being policed by Spies, Philip Burnett and on-form Lee Povey. With six to go, Salter was joined by team-mate Josh Cunningham, and back in the peloton Martyn Potter and 2008 B-league champ Charlie Heffernan were prominent. Safely in the bunch and going well was Neil McClelland, enjoying his seventeenth birthday.

At half-distance the two fugitives had been brought back and Heffernan seized his chance to disappear up the track. The stylish rider gained a useful advantage and survived for two laps, then it was the turn of Driss Jones to have a go just as the number “2” went up on the lap-board. This move by the former successful roadman was timed almost to perfection, and at the bell he still had a gap, but the front-markers in the bunch were hungry for the win, Frazer Clifford leading them through as they began that crucial final circuit. The favourites came to the fore round the last bend, and it was Povey who took the first win of the night in front of Spies, Charlie Sayer, Oliver Pepper, B-league leader Andy Parle and Mark Burgess.

Predictably, the sprint heats were dominated by Pepper, Spies, Povey, Burgess, Sayer and Sean McClelland. The minor final for heat runners-up was won by tall Rob Dean with a great sprint, clearly ahead of Paul Davidoff and Driss Jones.

There was to be an intriguing battle between the super-sprinters in the final, with odds-on favourites for the top two slots being South Africa champ Spies and Euro Masters champ Povey - though not necessarily in that order! These two did not disappoint, with a classic contest for spectators to enjoy. Povey moved ahead with 200 metres or so to go and seemed in control past the Pavilion, with Burgess and Spies just behind him. Indeed, Povey had the win sealed, though Spies was moving up fast and claimed a close second place, with Burgess third, then Pepper, Sayer and McClelland.

Dash races, an unknown distance event and the A-league devil had been programmed for later, but as it turned out the last contest on the night was the "bedevilled" (sorry!) B-league devil/scratch. Matt Wise and Lea Denison were the first to be jettisoned, then it was the turn of Oliver Tuckley and Ben Gerrey. The last two to be eliminated by the officials were Nigel Foskett and Rory Hitchens, and next it was to be the 2-lap scratch element of the race. Paul Barnard made a really smart move at that point, gaining a reasonable lead. This was, however, not enough for victory, as he was caught on the run-in. Along the finishing straight it was all happening, as two riders momentarily locked up, Rob Dean came down and the unfortunate James McCarron had nowhere to go and fell heavily. Meanwhile, up front, Andy Parle came home the clear winner of the race followed by Richard Bailey in second, Barnard hanging on for third and Ben Miller fourth. Somehow, Anthony Rogers, who had lost most of his front wheel spokes in the incident, managed to stay upright and claim fifth spot, while Martin O’Brien took sixth.

Crash victim Rob Dean was soon up and about, but James McCarron needed medical attention and this delay brought about an end to the racing. As it turned out, the gutsy 16-year-old In-Gear rider broke his collar-bone, but apart from this he is fine and well and beginning his recovery. “I heard a lot of clunking and then I landed and saw a few sparks”, he told me. “I hope to be back at Preston Park spectating this Wednesday and with luck I’ll be back racing there in about 6 weeks’ time”.

This was James's first evening of racing with the seniors at Preston Park and he was most unfortunate to be involved in the crash. Last season, he was one of the top U16s, winning the Sussex League U16 sprint championship with a fabulous effort. We all wish him a speedy and full recovery and look forward to having him back at Preston Park as soon as possible.

Racing-wise, the evening belonged to Lee Povey, with two wins from two events (plus his sprint heat victory). With league leader Felix English absent, Povey has now moved up to within striking distance, while Mark Burgess is in third spot overall.

Andy Parle's third win of the season has reinforced his position as hot favourite to take the B title, since just five victories are needed for the win and automatic promotion to the A-ranks. Mark Mergler is in second place with one win and 18 points, and Anthony Rogers is third with one win and 11 points.

YOUTHS

The healthy numbers of riders in all age-groups makes for exciting racing here at Preston Park. The winner of the weekly £5 youth award was U16 Elliot Tabraham-Dowers (see below).

U16/U14

Sara Gent and Amy Jacobs were the first to show in the joint 4-lap scratch race, but with three to go it was Elliot who had taken control at the head of the bunch. By the finish, Elliot had forged a clear gap and he rode home for a fine win ahead of U14 league leader Ashley Dennis, U16 Milo Burdeau. Next over the line were Amy, Sara and U16 Jack Oliver-Blaney.

Elliot also romped home first in the handicap race, moving up from the back for another great win and the weekly fiver. Behind him came Amy, Ashley and Sara, then Jack Hoyle and Gabriel Parle.

U12

Favourites Amy Barnes and Spencer Thomas came first and second respectively in the 2-lapper, followed by Megan Lewis, Harris Redgrove, Amy Smith and Ben O’Brien. Megan took the handicap victory ahead of Amy and Spencer, with Celia Jenkins fourth, then Harris and Ben.

U10/U8

Douglas McCauley won the joint 1-lap scratch race in front of Thomas Burnett, Harry Stacey, Joe Hill, Cory Anderson and Sam Booth. First U8 was Evelyn Parle ahead of Dominic Kazlauskas in runner-up spot. In his very first race at the track, 5-year-old Oscar Denman-Gould came third and received a generous round of applause from spectators. Thomas came first in the handicap event, beating Douglas, Sam, Harry, Cory and Joe in that order.

Preston Park Track League 16

August 5, 2009; Report by Gavin Smith

Phew! After two rained-off weeks, sunny conditions finally prevailed at Preston Park and 58 riders were keen to get down to the serious business of racing. With just two meetings in the season remaining including the one report on here, there were vital league points up for grabs.

SENIORS

In the absence of league leader Felix English and third-placed Charlie Heffernan, Mark Burgess raced intelligently tonight and created for himself a useful 12-point lead in advance of next week’s final meet. This is the first time in three years, that English has not headed the senior points table. Burgess didn’t have everything his own way, though, as South African champion Jean Spies was back at Preston Park after several weeks’ absence, and Tour de France legend Sean Yates made his first appearance of 2009.

In addition, several other riders were keen to notch up league points as the overall contest is hotting up and these included Adam Gent, Martyn Potter, Andy Edwards, Charlie Sayer and Brock Duncumb-Rogers. Notably, the seniors were joined by all the U16 riders tonight and also U14 Ashley Dennis, who certainly made his presence felt.

The first stab at freedom in the 8-lap opener came from Spies and Yates, but their slender lead quickly evaporated and next it was Gent who took his turn off the front with a strong burst. Two laps later, he was joined by Nick Smith, then they too were brought to heel. At the bell there were still a dozen or so riders in with a shout, but on the line Spies took the win, followed by Potter, Burgess, Duncumb-Rogers, Yates and Sayer.

Commendable handicapping by Dave Gerrey ensured tight finishes in the handicap heats, with three riders each time going through to the final. Then, Mark Burgess negotiated his way through traffic and won the final by the narrowest of margins in front of Nigel Burrows, Matt Davies, Phil Smith, Nick Smith and Paul Barnard.

The 10-lap points race for Bs involved no early breaks with the first maximum being taken by Nick Smith and the next two by Under 14 Ashley Dennis. In a classic move with just under four laps to go, Matt Davies rode away from the bunch and stayed away for the final two maximums. However, the young Dennis had proved enough of a menace to the others and he had notched up enough points for overall victory, with Nick Smith, Davies, Anthony Rogers, Andy Parle and Nigel Foskett next in line.

The A-riders Points race was a more animated affair with a rapid pace from the gun. Duncumb-Rogers signalled his intentions early on with the first max, then two laps later it was Potter who was first over the line with Spies and Edwards on his wheel. This trio was well and truly away and the others had missed the boat. Spies had accumulated most points by the bell and he underlined his class with the final sprint win into the bargain to take the race, followed by Edwards, Potter, Duncumb-Rogers, Sayer and Gent.

The 3-lap dash races provided a lot of entertainment for spectators. The As maintained a fast tempo throughout, Adam Gent sprinting home the winner ahead of Burgess, Spies, Sayer, Yates and this season’s recently-promoted B-league winner Richard Bailey. In the B1 event, Nick Smith had a slight gap at the bell, but in the end the race went to Dennis in front of Parle, Burrows, Ben Miller, Nick Smith and Foskett. Bruce English won the B2 contest, Mark Turner was second and next came George Webster and Ben Gerrey.

Jean Spies lined his pockets in the unknown distance race, winning all three £5 primes in a thrilling fast-run race in which riders were regularly shelled out the back of the bunch. At the end of a lightning last lap, Adam Gent came home the winner, followed by Dennis, Yates, Sayer, Edwards and Spies.

One to go!

With just one meeting to go, Mark Burgess leads the A-league with 125 points, and he is followed by Felix English (113), Jean Spies (112) and Charlie Heffernan (103). While Burgess does have a useful cushion, he could still be overhauled if any of the other three is on top form next week. Watch out for fireworks in Brighton next Wednesday in the final battle for the 2009 senior A-league title!

Meanwhile, the B-league winner has already been decided, since Richard Bailey has achieved five wins, and the runner-up is destined to be Andy Parle. However, no fewer than six riders are within just seven points of each other in the race for third place and the tussle for that final podium place will be fascinating next week.

Saturday, 15 August, 2009
National Results:
Barry Elcombe Memorial Road Race (Kirdford, Surrey, 76miles):
1 Gareth Hewitt (Sabbath Clayton) 3hrs 16mins 49secs
2 Daniel Kogan (BMC UK RT) at same time
3 Jean Spies (In Gear Development Squad) at 32secs

Sussex Track League Round 5

Event: 20th May 2009, Preston Park Track, Brighton
Report: Gavin Smith

The fifth meeting of the season was action-packed, with the Sussex League scratch-race championships adding spice to proceedings and a massive total of 80 riders signing on. Title races for all categories featured in the first half of the meet, with medals presented by League President Frank Blake. These events were followed by supporting races.

Seniors

The 20-lap senior championship is the longest race on the Sussex League calendar, and before the start Preston Park was abuzz with the prospect. The long list of Brighton regulars on the start-line was supplemented by some renowned visitors. Top of the list of regulars was young star Felix English, the lad whose palmares is already almost as long as an MP's expenses claim form.

Also riding was Preston Park sprint legend Lee Povey, looking fitter than ever, South African champion Jean Spies, rapid Mark Burgess, super-strong Martyn Potter and last year's B-league champion Charlie Heffernan. Top visitors on the night were ex-Tour de France star Sean Yates and former Preston Park A-league champ Gyles Wingate, who has been racing in Belgium for the past few years and notched up some wins there when he was still in the junior ranks.

This championship featured non-stop action from the gun. English and Heffernan rocketed away at the start, with Spies already chasing on his own and the bunch being led through by Phil Smith and Brock Duncumb-Rogers. With a strong effort Spies joined the leaders, and spectators were beginning to think the medals may have already been decided as the trio increased its lead.

Wingate, Potter, Yates, Povey, Burgess, Nick Smith, Andy Parle, Mark Mergler and Sean McClelland between them, however, contributed to the high tempo of the bunch, which meant that the leaders were never out of sight of the chasing pack. The sheer pace out front began to take its toll and after four laps of freedom, three became two as Heffernan dropped back, then Spies eased up his efforts to momentarily leave English out on his own, before the young speedster also found himself swallowed up by the peloton.

Just before half-distance it was all together and no fewer than 20 riders were still in with a shout in the lead group, with hot favourite English certainly not having it all his own way on this occasion. Richard Bailey attacked with 9 to go and he was joined by Ben Miller, with an ever-alert Spies on the front of the bunch. English gave one of his trademark accelerations and joined this duo, and the three then lasted out front for three laps. Parle, Spies, Yates, Potter, Nick Smith and Philip Burnett being the most prominent thorns in their sides by keeping the bunch pace high. The impressive Bailey survived longest, but he came back into the fold with five to go to set up an exciting denouement, with - still - around a score of competitors in the frame for the title.

Remarkably, there were no further serious attacks and as the bell rang it was all going to be down to a desperate dash to the line. The judges grabbed their clipboards with trepidation and the finish-line camera was activated in preparation for a 20-up bunch sprint. At the finish, Spies sped through to take an excellent win ahead of English, the only rider to have featured in both major breaks of the race, while the bronze medal went to Povey. Next came Burgess, Potter and Bailey.

Reigning South Africa keirin and Olympic sprint champion Spies is enjoying a season representing In-Gear to gain further racing experience. "I very much enjoy doing the track here at Preston Park and I had a win at Dunsfold recently", he told me as he stepped down from the podium after the presentation ceremony.

The supporting events also provided entertainment for spectators. Ian Craig was the first to attack in the B2 3-lap dash, then at the bell it was Tim Hill and Frazer Clifford who led through. At the end, Clifford sprinted home ahead of Charlie Booth, Matt Wise, Tim Hill, Craig and Oliver Tuckley. Neil McClelland showed strongly at the start of the equivalent B1 event, but with no breakaways the sprint was won by Bailey, followed by Parle, Mergler, Martin O'Brien, Nick Smith and Bruce English. The A-dash came down to a thrilling close bunch sprint won by Spies from Povey, English, Burgess, Potter and Heffernan.

Surely the cruellest dish on the track menu is the "win and out", which is won after the first lap when the winner pulls out to leave the others to fight out second place next time round, and so on down to sixth place. So often - as tonight - this means that riders who just lose out on a placing are left hanging out to dry on their own while the fast-moving bunch reels them in just before the next placing is decided. After a neutralised lap, English launched a blistering attack at around the time the whistle was blown by commissaire Rob Fuller to signal the start proper. He held off Spies to take the win, then Spies was forced to endure that long, lone lap to secure runner-up spot, which he did. The bunch had completely splintered by this time, and the next placings were grabbed by Brock Duncumb-Rogers, Mergler and Bailey, while Yates took sixth by just overhauling Phil Smith on the line.

For the final event, commissaire Fuller asked the lined-up riders whether they would prefer a devil/scratch or an unknown distance, and the overwhelming vote was in favour of the latter. So democracy well and truly rules at Preston Park. After three laps, the first £5 prime was won by Jean Spies just ahead of Mark Burgess, following which Spies made a lone break, with Felix English, Martyn Potter and Martin O'Brien at the head of the bunch. Spies took the second prime, by which time English had broken away with Sean Yates and this duo were chasing hard, Richard Bailey leading the bunch with a high tempo.

One lap later, Spies, English and Yates were together, but they only had a slender lead which evaporated shortly afterwards. English then tried his luck again to go out alone, and it was the turn of Gyles Wingate, Martin O'Brien, Sean Yates, Martyn Potter and Mark Mergler to force the bunch's pace. Spies still had thoughts of that final fiver on offer, and he timed his return to English to perfection, just in time to stash the cash. At the bell, he had a small gap on his rival, but by the finish it was English who came home first, followed by Spies, Yates, Paul Gosling, Potter and Parle.

Tonight, Spies took the glory with the scratch championship win, but he and English shared the spoils with two victories apiece. Cash-wise, Spies pocketed all three primes to collect a total of £15. Overall in the A-league, English is still well in command with 90 points, Spies has scored 54 and Povey is on 52. Parle leads the B tables with 37, ahead of Mergler on 28 and Bailey on 26 - but Parle has three wins to his credit and only needs two more to win the B league outright.