July 2001
THIS IS CYCLE TRACK SPORT!
Next time you hear some of the team talk about what race they did at Preston Park Cycle Track, and didn't understand what it meant, here are descriptions of the different types of races!
Sprint = the first rider across the line at the end of the specified distance (usually 1 lap) is the winner. Watch for the specialists who will ride a tactical race to gain the best position and then unleash their power over the last 200 metres.
Points Race = as the riders cross the line each lap, the first three are awarded 3 points, 2 points and 1 point respectively. At the end of the race the winner is the rider who has accumulated the most points.
Devil Take the Hindmost = an elimination race where the last rider across the finishing line each lap goes out until there are 3 or 4 riders left to contest the last lap.
Scratch Distance Races = races over a specified distance where the first rider to cross the line at the end of the distance is the winner. The sprinters will want to keep everyone together for a sprint finish on the last lap but the distance riders will try to break away in a small group forcing the pace throughout the race and wearing the sprinters down.
Course de Primes = like a scratch race with additional prizes for the first over the line on specified laps. The winner of the race is the first over the line at the finish but he may not be the winner of the major Prime prizes.
Handicap = this gives the small fry the opportunity to get in equal terms with the big boys. The Handicapper will calculate different starting positions around the track for riders of different ability. They start when the whistle blows and if the handicapper has got it right the riders all finish together. First across the line is the winner.
Keirin = a sprint race over 2 laps where the riders are kept together by a pacer until the final 400m when the pacer swings off leaving the riders to fight it out to the finish which is always tight. Up to 8 riders will compete jostling over the first lap and a half for the best position behind the pacer. The event originates from Japan where vast amounts of money are won and lost betting on the outcome of the race.
Do come along to watch or take part, its great fun and great exercise.
Challenge heats:
Preston Park 19th May 2001 - local heat
VC Jubilee had 11 entries out of 25 taking part and had 6 finalists to go through to the next round in their age ranges - Yr 2 and under - Aiden Beamish (1st),
Yr 3, 4, 5 - Jenny Hampton(1st), Sian Scamell (2nd),
Yr 6, 7, 8 - Jack Howlett(1st), Ben Dobbin (2nd), Matthew Howard(3rd)
Well done to all those who took part and to the finalists showed great skills and control of their bikes, everyone received a certificate and the winners a medal.
Sutton Park 30th June 2001 - regional final heat
Only 4 from VC Jubilee could attend the finalists heat in Sutton, and all did well, with fierce competition, top prize was a mountain bike. This final consisted of a skills test and a 1 or 2 lap time trial depending on their age range -
Yr 3, 4, 5 - Jenny Hampton (8th)
Yr 6, 7, 8 - Ben Dobbin (11th) Jack Howlett (13th), Matthew Howard (16th)
Congratulations and well done for taking part, everyone received a certificate and some Raleigh (sponsors of the event) information.
All that skills course practice over the winter when we couldn't go out riding because of foot and mouth definitely paid off.
Preston park cycle track:
With a near average of 12 riders attending each week at Preston Park Cycle Track, VC Jubilee is getting a great name in this cycling discipline, with many riders winning races, featuring in Cycling Weekly magazine, and accumulating points during the season which count towards year end prizes.
In the age 10 and unders, Josh is our highest placed rider followed in varying places by Kieran and Jenny, Sian, Sam and Luke. In the under 12's Matthew is in the lead, followed in varying places by Phil, Ben D, Jack, David, Holly, Ben M, Andrew and Daniel. Luckily the club now have quite a few racing bikes, which members can borrow to help them go even faster.
We take this opportunity to thank members of the Brighton Excelsior Cycling Club for helping on track nights with bike maintenance and push starts. And of course the biggest thanks must go to Tim Moresco who has volunteered his time and his big white van to transport the every increasing number of bikes to the track every week, it is greatly appreciated Tim, many thanks also to all the parents who have supported us and the team this year. So if you haven't had a chance to race yet, there is still time, the season ends 8th August, if you don't want to race its still fun to come along and support the team.
Keep your eyes open for some more Development League events around the South-East, which we hope to attend.
