2007 European Track Championships

 

July 11-15, 2007; Cottbus, Germany

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Under 23 Men’s Scratch Race

Gold for Jonny Bellis!

 

Final

Jonny Bellis won this event when he got in a break that lapped the field and despite an Italian who had been lapped trying it on in the sprint, and beating Jonny to the line (just), the title went to the Isle of Man rider who was quick to thank his teammate in the race Ben Swift. 

Jonny Bellis: “I’m still in shock really. When I crossed the line, I wasn’t sure if the Italian had won it or not. Some were saying he got a lap with us and some saying he didn’t and Jan (van Eijden) went up and asked the commisiare and they told me I had won it. I can’t believe it. I'm speechless. I’d like to thank Ben Swift for the help he gave me and I would not have been able to do it with out that”.

 

“I knew the Dutch would be fast in the finish and I just had to be wary of where they were. I spoke to Swifty and he agreed to give me a lead out with two to go and basically I came round with a lap to go and gave it my all. The Italian though rolled me and put his hand up so thought another Silver just like the Junior Worlds last year.”

 

“I wasn’t originally going to ride this race either as Russell Hampton was down for it and I was doing the Team Pursuit and Points but with Russell getting ill, I had to come in and ride. So I was chuffed to get a ride but didn’t expect to win, especially as I am a first year senior.”

 

Jonny powered across to the break which took a lap.

 

Bell lap and the Dutchman is nervous -- they had two in the break, three in the race and still didn't medal...

 

Jonny starts his run...

 

Jonny for a moment thinks he has lost the race but the Italian is a lap down and had no reason to sprint with the seven having taken the lap.

 

Heats

Already Gold medal winners, Jonny Bellis and Ben Swift, both showed themselves in good form in the Scratch race by doing enough in their respective heats to get through to final.

 

Ben Swift looked very sharp in his heat and is one of the favourites for a medal in the final.

 

Silver medallist in last Junior World Championships (Points race), Jonny Bellis rode well in the Under 23 Scratch race to make the final.

 

RESULT
1. Jonathan Bellis (GBR)
2. Roger Kluge (GER)
3. Ivan Kovalev (RUS)
4. Pim Ligthart (NED)
5. Kenny De Ketele (BEL)
6. Ronan Guinaudieau (FRA)
7. Ionas Konovalovas (LTU)