Alan MaCrae reports on Round 8 of the Raymond Brown Track League in Bournemouth …
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In what was widely seen as the best night’s racing yet, this week’s Raymond Brown Track League provided ample evidence in the improvement in local track league racing. Fastest event of the night was the B Group 8 Lap Scratch, run off at 27 mph average resulting in a win for Dave Gilham, Bournemouth Arrow making his League debut. The B Group 16 Lap Scratch also provided the closest contested finish of the night in their 16 Lap Scratch where the charge to the line was edged by Jake Thomas, Bristol Cycling Development group, with the improving Gordon Skillen, Poole Wheelers, Nigel Powell, VC St Raphael and Les Pick, Poole Wheelers in very close contention.
The opening A Group 8 Lap Scratch went to form with Adam Wykes, VC St Raphael, getting the better of Will Stevens, Bournemouth Arrow. Revenge came swift and soon when both these riders were called to the line for the Invitation 750m Match Sprint. It was Wykes track craft that forced Stevens to lead through the early cat and mouse with both riders high on the banking at walking speed. However it was Stevens, looking very comfortable on the gear he lowered slightly from last week, whose acceleration in the final lap left Wykes with too much to do.
The finale A/B Group 15Km Scratch was run off at a brisk 25 mph average with only minor attacks in the first half which failed to break up the field. However normal service was resumed in the latter stages as Wykes, Gilham and Steve Moss, Bournemouth Arrow began to exert their influence and stretch the field. In a long sprint to the line Wykes speed endurance held out over Moss who got close, but just could not close the gap. Bouncing back from one rider tumble, the Youth events continued to provide excitement with Rebecca Hurst, Poole Wheelers running out winner of the 5 Lap Scratch Race.
Overall in the League, Wykes is now just 2 points behind Harrison Fielding, Poole Wheelers in the A Group, Jason Falconer, Bournemouth Arrow is just ahead of Ellie Gilham, VC St Raphael in the B Group and Ryan Hodgkyns, Poole Wheelers, edging clubmate Rebecca Hurst in the Youth events. About half way through this year’s programme, riders are now beginning to pay attention to the League’s £800 Prize List.
For further information contact Alan McRae via alan.mcrae@uwclub.net
Results
1 David GILHAM Bournemouth Arrow CC
2 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
3 Les PICK Poole Wheelers
4 Stuart MORTON Hargroves Cycles
5 Alex HARDING Andover Wheelers
6 Arron MORGAN Poole CSC
7 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
8 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
9 Alex CADZOW Welwyn Whs CC
10 Nigel POWELL VC St.Raphael
11 Gordon SKILLEN Poole Wheelers
12 John MARINER Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
EVENT 3 – 8-LAP SCRATCH RACE – GROUP A Starters:
1 Adam D’ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
2 Will STEVENS Bournemouth Arrow CC
3 Daryl PRICE Poole Wheelers
4 Steve MOSS Bournemouth Arrow CC
EVENT 5.1 – INVITATION SPRINT MATCH B Starters:
1 Arron MORGAN Poole CSC
2 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
EVENT 5.2 – INVITATION SPRINT MATCH A Starters:
4 Will STEVENS Bournemouth Arrow CC
5 Adam D’ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
EVENT 7 – ELIMINATION RACE – GROUP B Starters:
1 David GILHAM Bournemouth Arrow CC
2 Alex HARDING Andover Wheelers
3 Les PICK Poole Wheelers
4 John HEFFERNAN New Forest CC
5 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
6 Gordon SKILLEN Poole Wheelers
7 Alex CADZOW Welwyn Whs CC
8 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
9 Stuart MORTON Hargroves Cycles
10 John MARINER Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
11 Nigel POWELL VC St.Raphael
12 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
13 Arron MORGAN Poole CSC
EVENT 8 – 16-LAP SCRATCH RACE – GROUP A Starters:
1 Adam D’ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
2 Daryl PRICE Poole Wheelers
3 Stuart MORTON Hargroves Cycles
4 Steve MOSS Bournemouth Arrow CC
5 Alex HARDING Andover Wheelers
0 Will STEVENS Bournemouth Arrow CC
EVENT 10 – 16-LAP SCRATCH RACE – GROUP B Starters:
1 Jake THOMAS Bristol Cycling Dev Squad
2 Gordon SKILLEN Poole Wheelers
3 Nigel POWELL VC St.Raphael
4 Les PICK Poole Wheelers
5 John HEFFERNAN New Forest CC
6 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
7 David GILHAM Bournemouth Arrow CC
8 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
9 Arron MORGAN Poole CSC
10 John MARINER Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
11 Alex CADZOW Welwyn Whs CC
EVENT 11 – ELIMINATION RACE – GROUP A Starters:
1 Adam D’ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
2 Steve MOSS Bournemouth Arrow CC
3 Will STEVENS Bournemouth Arrow CC
4 Stuart MORTON Hargroves Cycles
5 Daryl PRICE Poole Wheelers
6 Alex HARDING Andover Wheelers
EVENT 13 – 15-KM SCRATCH RACE – GROUPS A/B Starters:
1 Adam D’ARCY WYKES VC St.Raphael
2 Steve MOSS Bournemouth Arrow CC
3 Will STEVENS Bournemouth Arrow CC
4 David GILHAM Bournemouth Arrow CC
5 Stuart MORTON Hargroves Cycles
6 John HEFFERNAN New Forest CC
7 Alex HARDING Andover Wheelers
8 Jason FALCONER BC Private Member
9 Les PICK Poole Wheelers
10 John MARINER Bournemouth Jubilee Whs
11 Nigel POWELL VC St.Raphael
12 Ellie GILHAM VC St.Raphael
13 Arron MORGAN Poole CSC
14 Daryl PRICE Poole Wheelers
YOUTH
1 Sam READ Poole Wheelers
2 Charlotte PICK Poole Wheelers
3 Lucy PICK Poole Wheelers
4 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Wheelers
5 Luke DIGHTON Poole Wheelers
6 Rebecca HURST Poole Wheelers
EVENT 4 – 2-LAP HANDICAP SPRINT Starters: 6
1 Sam READ Poole Wheelers
2 Charlotte PICK Poole Wheelers
3 Luke DIGHTON Poole Wheelers
4 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Wheelers
5 Lucy PICK Poole Wheelers
6 Rebecca HURST Poole Wheelers
EVENT 6 – 5-LAP SCRATCH RACE Starters: 6
1 Rebecca HURST Poole Wheelers
2 Luke DIGHTON Poole Wheelers
3 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Wheelers
4 Lucy PICK Poole Wheelers
5 Charlotte PICK Poole Wheelers
EVENT 9 – 10-LAP HUMAN-PACED RACE Starters: 6
1 Luke DIGHTON Poole Wheelers
2 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Wheelers
3 Rebecca HURST Poole Wheelers
4 Lucy PICK Poole Wheelers
5 Charlotte PICK Poole Wheelers
6 Sam READ Poole Wheelers
EVENT 11 – TEAM SPRINT Starters: 6
TEAM 1
1 Rebecca HURST Poole Wheelers
1 Luke DIGHTON Poole Wheelers
1 Sam READ Poole Wheelers
TEAM 2
2 Ryan HODGKYNS Poole Wheelers
2 Charlotte PICK Poole WheelerS
2 Lucy PICK Poole Wheelers (F) 0