2007 European Track Championships

 

July 11-15, 2007; Cottbus, Germany

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Junior Women's Points Race

Great Britain had two riders in this and they both deserved a medal for their performance as team players. Alas, it was only Alex Greenfield who got to taste the limelight winning the title by a point from Russian Elizaveta Asseserova and Marta Tagliaferro from Italy.

 

The race started slowly for the two Brits as they found their feet in what is their first outing at this level. They followed the wheels and stayed in the race and then for the third sprint, Alex chanced her legs and took the sprint before being caught.

 

Alex stays clear long enough to get five points in the third sprint.

 

Katie Colclough was next to try with 28 laps to go and scored a few points before being caught. The race then continued to change shape as riders tried to get away and were brought back. In amongst this, Alex was scoring the odd point which was to prove vital but the speed of the sprints was surprising her and she found she couldn't dominate these girls like she can in races back home.

 

So she bravely attacked with 10 to go (sprint with 6 to go) and who should go with her -- Katie Colclough! It was a GB train and they inched their way clear of the pack and on this track which can be like riding through quicksand after a few laps in the red, they managed to stay clear long enough for Alex to score maxiumum points again. The scoreboard at this track is next to useless and it was on for the win for Alex but nobody could be certain.

 

What a sight -- the two Brits combine forces to stay clear long enough for Alex to get maximum points.

 

Come the final sprint, and Katie Colcough was on hand again to help Alex out but again, Alex found the sprints fast and she was soon swamped in the dash for the line  but the point she scored was enough to clinch the title and a wonderful victory in front of her parents.

 

Final sprint and Alex is swamped by the French but does enough to clinch the title!

 

Alex Greenfield: “I am so shocked! I looked on the board for the head of the race and didn’t see my number and after the last sprint, thought maybe I sneaked third place and when it showed I had won, it was like – What!”

 

“I found the race really hard. I was quite surprised actually because usually I am a sprints rider and sit in and go for the points and when they were coming up, I wasn’t getting up there at all. So I was a bit worried but it turned out okay”.

 

“The break with Katie wasn’t planned. I just thought I’d have a go and go over the top and attack and I looked behind when I swung up and saw her and thought this looks good, we’ll give this a go and it worked out well. It gave me a boost to hear people like my parents screaming for me and helped me go for it.”

 

Katie Colclough (10th): “That race was tough. I have never done anything like this before and I was so nervous before it. After the first lap though I wasn’t nervous anymore and just got on with it. I saw Alex go and no-one go with her so I thought I’ll go with her and help her out. I could see Simon (Cope, National ODP Womens endurance coach) telling us to keep it going so I put in some long turns to try and get Alex up there in the points. It is good to know that I helped her in the race.”

 

Both girls, Katie on the left and Alex on the right, had a go in separate breaks to score points.

 

Congratulations from Alex Greenfield's parents in the stands to see their daughter become a European Champion.