Warm-up images
Race images
Wales National Velodrome Youth Omnium
Newport, Wales
29 April 2007
Words and Images: Mike Anstice
The cream of Youth Cycling gathered at Newport City Indoor Velodrome Sunday 29th April 2007. The riders from Wales, Midlands, South West and from along the M4 corridor were arriving for the 2007 Midlands Area Track Omnium Series.
The atmosphere was electric as the nervous riders queued for their race numbers in the first clash in the series; many confident now second year riders and the nervous first year riders checking out the new larger competition. The teams had set up their camps around the cleared velodrome, the Welsh Cycling organised event had a high entry with over 100 riders in total.
Bikes fine-tuned for this planned epic 5 hours of racing. The full field of U16 boys would start the mornings racing. First race for everyone would be the scratch race, the U16's set of at merciless pace, casting aside the weaker opposition any attempt to ride off the front were soon annulled and into the last laps Rhys Matcham lead a 5 riders away, Luke Jones of Tredegar Nomads took up the charge and was first over the line with Danny Mclay of Leicester RC 2nd and John Mould of Cardiff Ajax 3rd.
U16 girls race had a smaller field and set off at steady pace, with 3km to go Jessica Boothe of Halesowen and Sarah Reynolds of Evans bikes broke away from the group to stay away till the finish, Sarah 1st and Jessica 2nd followed by Rebecca James of Pinerello RT originally from Abergavenny.
The U14 boys race was controlled by the half dozen larger 2nd year under 14s they left most of the smaller rider half way through the race, a gutsy chase by Joe Anstice the youngest rider in the field left him stranded. Josh Papworth of Halesowen, the winner of the Newport Transport Youth Winter Track League crossed the line neck and neck with fellow Midland's riders Robert Lampton Newport CC and George Moore Interbike RT.
The under 14 race saw 1st year under 14s mixing it up with the 2nd years, on the line in the scratch race. The Under 14 girls racing was dominated by Hannah Barnes of Palmer Park Velo, whilst Lucy Garner, Hannah Manley of Ajax and Hannah Barnes all showed well too.
The Under 12 and U10 were a mixed fields of boys with girls, predominantly local riders many in their first Regional Omnium, the U12 races were dominated by Emily Kaye and Robbie Westwood with great individual rides from Newport Velo riders Michael Charlton, Zak May and Amy Hill. The under 10's was great to watch with no less grit or determination than World Cup riders that they may one day be, they battled through the rounds, Emily Haycox taking 1st place at the end of the day and Amy Hinchley 2nd both from Cardiff's Maindy.
Just to spice up the end of the day both the under 12 and under 10 match sprints were both winner takes all, with Robbie and Emily level in the under 12's and Emily Haycox and Amy Hinchley level in the under 10's. Robbie and Emily watching each other Zak cleverly saw his opportunity and attacked early, with both the main protagonists not wanting to make the first move Zak quickly built a commanding lead which he held to the end of the race, with Robbie winning the sprint for 2nd and clinching the overall win. In the under 10's Emily and Amy exchanged the lead a couple of times in the first lap before an all out, side by side battle in the finishing lap with Emily coming out in front by half a wheel.
Rider Reaction:
Mathew (NewportVelo) said he had a fantastic time in his first big race.
Michael Charlton (NewportVelo & Chippenham Wheelers) was pleased with his first U12 Omnium and had a great Points race and 3rd in the U12 boys.
The Newport Velo U14 boys had a great time and are looking forward to Newcastle?s Swinnerton Omnium hoping for continued sunshine in May.
Sean Wheddon (NewportVelo) was pleased to beat his teammate Joe in the Points race
Joe Anstice (NewportVelo), was pleased as the youngest U14 in the Omnium to have survived and taking 7th place overall, especially his 5th place in the Devil.
Thanks to all the volunteer officials and WCU for arranging this great day of cycling