READING/PALMER PARK VELODROME MAY DAY MEETING

INFO: The British Cycling Results Service .... >>> Details

Results and Race report from Palmer Park Velodrome from John Dennis; May 26th 2003

Long known for its policy of promoting Youth racing at Palmer Park Velodrome, it was the first track in the Country to introduce a Youth League, Reading Track League’s thinking goes well beyond just providing ‘racing for kids’. Its belief is that if and when a youngster shows sufficient skill and ability to handle the techniques required to safely race on a velodrome, then it is time to allow them to start racing against senior riders.

This policy follows the belief that teenagers learn the fine tactics and techniques required to succeed far quicker and more naturally than older newcomers to the sport. The wisdom of that approach was never in more evidence than it was at Bank Holiday Monday’s League race meeting at Palmer Park. Two of the area’s most promising young riders, Neil Cooper and Sam Sturgeon proved the point beyond doubt. They finished first and second respectively in the 500m sprint race final, and true to form Cooper went on to win the 4 lap Keirin and take third place in a gruelling 20 kilometre finale to the night’s racing.

The proof that the policy pays off went well beyond those two young men. Gareth Dickenson, who has dominated the Youth League this year made his first foray into the Senior class, Abby Jackson, who is a multiple British Schools reigning champion filled an empty place in the Veteran’s Keirin race, and did not disgrace herself, while Palmer Park Velo Club’s Stephen Wrigley hounded race officials so persistently that eventually at only 15 years old he persuaded them to allow him to start in both the Unknown distance and the 20 kilometre event.

The revelation of the night was undoubtedly 15-year-old Joe Liversedge, although at more than 6 ft tall with an adult built body to match it the visitor from Stevenage challenged the top riders all night and finally went within an ace of winning the tough 20 kms race. I suspect that more will be seen of that young fellow at Reading this year. Liversedge finished less than one wheel distance behind the winner, Rob English, who was bidding Palmer Park a temporary farewell before departing on his 3,000 miles bike ride across the United States, with Neil Cooper in third spot.

If ever there was a lesson in persistence to finish against all odds, it was demonstrated by veteran Sean Bannister in the 20 kms Endurance race. Active throughout the 44 laps of the Velodrome that saw the field of 20 riders reduced to just seven finishers, he featured in three breakaway attempts, was burnt off the back of the field three times as a result of his efforts, and still managed to fight his way back into the race every time to finish best veteran.

Much talk in the rider’s paddock centred on the forthcoming British Cycling Central Division Championship series which starts next month as inclusion in the Track League programme, with Paul Cooper forecasting that Reading CC which now has nine riders registered for League racing, that it will field two four man teams for the Team Pursuit title series.

Results:

Seniors
10 lap Hare & Hounds: 
1. Rob English, Southport CC;
2. Neil Cooper, Reading CC; 
3. James Millard, Api Bikes.com.

500 metres Scratch: 
1. Neil Cooper, 
2. Sam Sturgeon, Evans Cycles RT, 
3. Rob English. 

Veterans: 
1. Dick Reeve, Beyond Mountain Bikes, 
2. Paul Cooper, Reading CC, 
3. Murray Hogge, Reading CC.

4 lap Keirin: 
1. Neil Cooper, 
2. Mark Creaby, Reading CC, 
3. Rob English. 

Veterans: 
1. Dick Reeve, 
2. John Wann, Reading CC, 
3. P.Cooper

Unknown Distance: 
1. James Millard, 
2. Phil Roberts, Reading CC, 
3. Dick Reeve.

20 kms. Scratch: 
1. Rob English, 
2. Joe Liversedge, Stevenage CC, 
3. Neil Cooper.  

Best Veteran: Sean Bannister, Team Quest.

Youths
1 lap Time Trial: 
U12 
1. Rob Jackson, Team Luciano , 
2. Chris Legg, Palmer Park Velo, 
3. Matthew Legg, Palmer Park Velo; 

U14:
1. Andrew Bates, Farnborough & Camberley, 
2. Keir Stone- Brown, Farnboro & Camberley; 

U16 
1. Gareth Dickinson,Team Luciano, 
2. Abby Jackson, Team Luciano, 
3. Stephen Wrigley, Palmer Park Velo.

Devil: 
U12: 
1. R.Jackson, 
2. C.Legg, 
3.M.Legg;

U14: 
1.A.Bates,
2. K.Stone-Brown; 

U16: 
1. G.Dicknson, 
2.A. Jackson, 3.S.Wrigley

3 lap Keirin: 
1. U12.C.Legg,
2.R.Jackson,
3.M.Legg; 

U14:
1. A,Bates, 
2.K.Stone-Brown.

U16: 
1.G.Dickinson,
2.S.Wrigley, 
3. A.Jackson.

Hare & Hounds: 
U12: 
1.C.Legg, 
2.R.Jackson, 
3. M.Legg;

U14: 
1.A.Bates, 
2.K.Stone-Brown; 

U16: 
1. G.Dickinson,
2.A.Jackson, 
3. S.Wrigley.