UCI 2006 World Track Championships

Mens Keirin

April 14, 2006; Bordeaux (France) 

British Cycling's Larry Hickmott reports

2006 World Track Championships

Day 2: UCI World Track Championships

 

Great Britain had two young riders in this event, the experienced Ross Edgar and Matthew Crampton, not long out of the Junior ranks but already making a name for himself. Looking at the draw for the first round, and having seen many of the riders at World Track Cups, each heat had riders in it capable of winning the event overall and it was not going to be easy for either Ross or Matt.

Both however came through the first round with flying colours, finishing second and getting through to the next round. In heat 1, Ross Edgar had the likes of defending World Champion Teun Mulder and Olympic Champion Ryan Bayley who was in sensational form in Australia. None of the other riders could be discounted either but Ross showed great form starting out behind the motor bike and looking in control.

As the derny pulled off, the Ukraine rider Andriy Vynokurov went to the front and with a lap to go, Ross looked to be in trouble, at the back and on the inside as Andriy Vynokurov and Bayley led the way. Ross though wasn't going to be beaten and he escaped the box he was in, took the long way round and finished half a length behind Tuen Mulder. Job done for Ross in round 1.

 

Above: Final laps of Heat 1 for Ross Edgar...

 

In heat 4, Matthew Crampton had the likes of World Sprint champion Renolff, and Josiah Ng the UCI Champion as well as Roberto Chiappa who can never be discounted. From the start, Matthew decided to settle in at the back of the string and wait his moment. With the Italian behind one minute, as soon as the derny started to pull away, Matt made his move and what a move.

In the space of half a lap he was on the front and in pole position with Ng paying close attention and Wolff not far away either. Matt held his position for the next lap when the riders were now giving it full gas as the bell rang and Matt was still on the front with Ng and Wolff coming at him. And while Ng faded, and Wolff went on to win the heat, Matthew held off the rest for a stunning performance in this sort of company.

Both the Brits could now rest easy until the evening session.

 

 

 

Above: The pictures behind Matthew Crampton's ride in Round 1.

 

EVENING SESSION

Round 2

This didn't go to plan for Great Britain and despite being in control during the early stages of their heat (2),  when the derny pulled off and the bun fight started, the British riders found themselves at the wrong end of the race and were unable to recover to make the final for the medals.

 

 

The Italian Chiappa wins the minor final with the Brits going the long way round in 9th and 10th place overall.

 

 

A lap to go and the rest have already given up as Theo Bos races away to win yet another title to join the Sprint and Kilometre titles he has won in previous years.

 

 

The podium -- alas no Brits made it but two of the riders, Bos and Tournant are certainly frequent visitors to the UK!

 

 

This is not the victory lap but the victory salute -- Bos was well clear of the rest and had plenty of time to celebrate as he crossed the line.

 

RESULTS
Round 2

Heat 1
1. Teun Mulder (Netherlands) 10.752
2. Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
3. Jose Antonio Escuredo Raimondez (Spain)
4. Rene Wolff (Germany)
5. Travis Smith (Canada)
6. Roberto Chiappa (Italy)

Heat 2
1. Theo Bos (Netherlands) 11.105
2. Mickael Bourgain (France)
3. Arnaud Tournant (France)
4. Ross Edgar (Great Britain)
5. Matt Crampton (Great Britain)
6. Cðgic Stoller (Switzerland)


FINAL (1st-6th)
1. Theo Bos (Netherlands)
2. Jose Antonio Escuredo Raimondez (Spain)
3. Arnaud Tournant (France)
4. Mickael Bourgain (France)
5. Teun Mulder (Netherlands)
REL Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)

Minor Final (7th to 12th)
7. Roberto Chiappa (Italy)
8. Cðgic Stoller (Switzerland)
9. Ross Edgar (Great Britain)
10. Matt Crampton (Great Britain)
11. RenîHolff (Germany)
12. Travis Smith (Canada)

 

ROUND 1 RESULTS

Heat 1
1. Teun Mulder (Netherlands) 10.764
2. Ross Edgar (Great Britain)
3. Ryan Bayley (Australia)
4. Jose Alberto Sochon Gudiel (Guatemala)
5. Andriy Vynokurov (Ukraine)
6. Damian Zielinski (Poland)
7. Ivan Vrba (Czech Republic)

Heat 4
1. Renolff (Germany) 11.092
2. Matt Crampton (Great Britain)
3. Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Poland)
4. Vladimir Kiriltsev (Russia)
5. Mario Contreras (Mexico)
6. Kasper Jessen (Denmark)
7. Josiah Ng On Lam (Malaysia)
8. Roberto Chiappa (Italy)