Words: Mark McGhee
Photos: The Press Room
Hallowed Boards
It seems strange to think that just three short years ago the outdoor velodrome at Meadowbank was Scotland’s top track cycling venue. Nowadays, with the superb facility that is the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow catering for local, national and international racing, it looks as if it’s from the last century…which of course it is. Built in time for the 1986 Commonwealth Games it’s coming up on its 29th birthday…29 years of being exposed to wind and rain, snow and sun and it’s really beginning to show.
Edinburgh District Council carried out some repairs and since then it’s been run by the Edinburgh Road Club even if lots of people think it closed months ago. They have a full calendar and Saturday saw the third round of the Scottish Power Youth Omnium Series with all of our successful young cyclists turning out to race on the very same boards graced by his Hoyness in the past. With the facilities available it’s difficult to think how this venue could have hosted a Commonwealth Games but the young racers and their supporters are nothing if not practical.
The infield at the west end was covered by rollers with bikes hanging from poles, the tea urn steaming away and summer seats spread around ready for a day’s racing. It’s an outdoor track and all of these youngsters who are now used to racing in a climate-controlled environment in Glasgow had to content with the conditions. And these included a stiff headwind on the back straight with an equally strong tailwind home. And, of course, the inevitable downpour! The individual time trial had just concluded when the heavens opened and it rained heavily for about 40 minutes. Everyone ran for shelter wherever they could and riders and officials hid in the tunnel, under easy-ups, in the timing booth or out in their cars, waiting for the rain to stop.
And stop it did, but this means there was a wait while the track dried and frequent checks were made of the east banking which is usually the last part to come good. There was a holiday atmosphere as the kids sat on the track in the sun while the younger ones made good use of a tea tray to slide down the boards at the end of the back straight. Pretty soon though, with the timing gear reaffixed, racing commenced until the scheduled programme was completed, with just about an hour lost, and the prize-giving held on the Alan Nisbet bench.
The overall series results will appear shortly but there were some standout performances on the day from Joe Nally (Team Hardie-Bikes.com), Alfie George (Discovery Juniors) and the all-conquering Stirling Bike Club trio of Jenny Holl, Rhona Callander, and Amber King. But they didn’t have it all their own way with Danny Mulholland taking Joe Nally in the Points race sprint to make up for losing out in the Devil and Alfie George’s arch nemesis Jack Cruden (Glasgow Riderz) getting the better of him in one of the events.
However, it was the Girls B and C groupings that saw dominant displays from the Glasgow Riderz’ Anna Shackley and Imani Pereira-Jones and in the C Boys there was no stopping Callum Reid of Rock and Road Cycles, showing great determination in each of his events.
It’s been suggested that cycling should let Meadowbank go and concentrate on the more modern approach to the future of the sport but until we have more purpose-built indoor tracks throughout the country, there is still very much a place for Meadowbank. And maybe even on into the future. These outdoor tracks like Caird Park in Dundee and Meadowbank in Edinburgh teach the riders how to handle different conditions and can only be good for track cycling. It’s just a pity that Edinburgh District Council has said that it won’t fund any future repairs so it’s up to all of us to support ERC in their stewardship of such a venerable old lady…and perhaps she’ll still be giving the future stars a grounding in track racing for years to come.
More photos on the Press Room facebook page
Results
| ScottishPower Meadowbank Youth Omnium Results 16th May 2015 |
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| YOUTH A |
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Total |
Time |
TT |
Elim |
Scratch |
Points Scored |
Sprint |
Points |
| 1 |
48 |
Jenny |
Holl |
Stirling Bike Club |
AG |
|
8 |
01:22.6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
| 2 |
47 |
Rhona |
Callander |
Stirling Bike Club |
AG |
|
12 |
01:24.2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
| 3 |
49 |
Amber |
King |
Stirling Bike Club |
AG |
|
12 |
01:24.2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
1 |
3 |
| 4 |
52 |
Ellie |
Park |
Glasgow Riderz |
AG |
|
18 |
01:26.9 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
2 |
4 |
| 5 |
53 |
Gemma |
Penman |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
AG |
|
25 |
01:27.1 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
5 |
5 |
| 6 |
51 |
Jess |
Millar |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
AG |
|
30 |
01:32.6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
18 |
6 |
6 |
| 7 |
55 |
Jessica |
Watts |
Speedflex Race Team |
AG |
|
35 |
01:34.8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
| DNS |
54 |
Lusia |
Steele |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
AG |
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DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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56 |
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| 1 |
66 |
Joseph |
Nally |
www.Hardie-Bikes.com |
AB |
|
6 |
01:18.0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
| 2 |
65 |
Danny |
Mulholland |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
AB |
|
12 |
01:20.6 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
| 3 |
63 |
Innes |
Johnston |
Glasgow Riderz |
AB |
|
18 |
01:18.7 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
3 |
5 |
| 4 |
62 |
Jonathon |
Hilbourne |
Glasgow Riderz |
AB |
|
23 |
01:23.1 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
14 |
6 |
3 |
| 5 |
68 |
Calum |
Shackley |
Glasgow Riderz |
AB |
|
24 |
01:19.3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
13 |
4 |
7 |
| 6 |
64 |
Alexander |
MacRae |
Marton Race Team |
AB |
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29 |
01:19.9 |
4 |
9 |
3 |
16 |
5 |
8 |
| 7 |
60 |
Lewis |
Goodlad |
Ythan CC |
AB |
|
36 |
01:23.2 |
7 |
10 |
7 |
24 |
8 |
4 |
| 8 |
59 |
Matthew |
Devlin |
West Lothian Clarion CC |
AB |
|
39 |
01:24.0 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
23 |
7 |
9 |
| 9 |
57 |
Ryan |
Abbs |
Hetton Hawks Cycling Club |
AB |
|
40 |
01:23.7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
25 |
9 |
6 |
| 10 |
61 |
Adam |
Hazle |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
AB |
|
48 |
01:24.9 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
27 |
10 |
11 |
| DNS |
58 |
Stephen |
Dent |
Nevis Cycles Racing Team |
AB |
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DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| DNS |
67 |
Struan |
Pryde |
Deeside Thistle CC |
AB |
|
DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| DNS |
69 |
Lewis |
Stewart |
Glasgow Riderz |
AB |
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DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| YOUTH B |
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Total |
Time |
TT |
Elim |
Scratch |
Points Scored |
Sprint |
Points |
| 1 |
26 |
Anna |
Shackley |
Glasgow Riderz |
BG |
|
8 |
01:30.8 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
| 2 |
29 |
Beth |
Wilson |
Glasgow Riderz |
BG |
|
13 |
01:34.3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
| 3 |
27 |
Abby |
Stewart |
Glasgow Riderz |
BG |
|
13 |
01:32.5 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
| 4 |
23 |
Eva |
Barnet |
Edinburgh RC |
BG |
|
17 |
01:38.4 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
10 |
3 |
4 |
| 5 |
24 |
Alison |
Bryce |
West Lothian Clarion CC |
BG |
|
25 |
01:35.4 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
15 |
5 |
5 |
| 6 |
25 |
Nuala |
Hoyle |
Glasgow Riderz |
BG |
|
29 |
01:42.2 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
17 |
6 |
6 |
| 7 |
28 |
Joanna |
Stewart |
Spokes Racing Team |
BG |
|
DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| 8 |
29 |
Beth |
Wilson |
Glasgow Riderz |
BG |
|
DNS |
00:00.0 |
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| 1 |
37 |
Alfred |
George |
Discovery Junior Cycling Club |
BB |
|
6 |
01:15.9 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| 2 |
35 |
Jack |
Cruden |
Glasgow Riderz |
BB |
|
9 |
01:19.7 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
| 3 |
43 |
Hamish |
MacLaren |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
BB |
|
15 |
01:25.4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
| 4 |
44 |
Jamie |
Penny |
Discovery Junior Cycling Club |
BB |
|
22 |
01:25.6 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
4 |
6 |
| 5 |
36 |
Matti |
Dobbins |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
BB |
|
25 |
01:27.2 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
5 |
5 |
| 6 |
42 |
Callum |
Lyall |
Discovery Junior Cycling Club |
BB |
|
35 |
01:30.6 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
22 |
6 |
7 |
| 7 |
39 |
Christopher |
Hordon |
West Lothian Clarion CC |
BB |
|
38 |
01:36.9 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
26 |
8 |
4 |
| 8 |
33 |
Douglas |
Arthur |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
BB |
|
41 |
01:45.0 |
12 |
6 |
8 |
26 |
7 |
8 |
| 9 |
41 |
Aaron |
King |
Stirling Bike Club |
BB |
|
47 |
01:33.2 |
7 |
11 |
11 |
29 |
9 |
9 |
| 10 |
40 |
Sorley |
Johnston |
Glasgow Riderz |
BB |
|
48 |
01:40.2 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
27 |
11 |
10 |
| 11 |
34 |
Alexander |
Ball |
West Lothian Clarion CC |
BB |
|
48 |
01:37.2 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
27 |
10 |
11 |
| 12 |
38 |
Sandy |
Holl |
Stirling Bike Club |
BB |
|
56 |
01:36.6 |
8 |
12 |
12 |
32 |
12 |
12 |
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| YOUTH C |
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Total |
Time |
TT |
Elim |
Scratch |
Points Scored |
Sprint |
Points |
| 1 |
8 |
Imani |
Pereira-James |
Glasgow Riderz |
CG |
|
6 |
00:47.3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
| 2 |
9 |
Eilidh |
Shaw |
Royal Albert CC |
CG |
|
14 |
00:49.3 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
9 |
2 |
3 |
| 3 |
7 |
Skye |
Donnelly |
Glasgow Riderz |
CG |
|
19 |
00:51.6 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
| 4 |
10 |
Morven |
Yeoman |
East Kilbride Road Club |
CG |
|
26 |
00:53.7 |
5 |
8 |
4 |
17 |
5 |
4 |
| 5 |
6 |
Kiera |
Chan |
East Kilbride Road Club |
CG |
|
27 |
00:52.8 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
19 |
3 |
5 |
| 6 |
11 |
Isla |
Gilroy |
East Kilbride Road Club |
CG |
|
DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| 1 |
17 |
Callum |
Reid |
Rock And Road Cycles |
CB |
|
5 |
00:47.1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| 2 |
15 |
Murray |
Lawson |
Edinburgh RC |
CB |
|
12 |
00:47.7 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
| 3 |
18 |
Keir |
Roberts |
East Kilbride Road Club |
CB |
|
17 |
00:48.0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
4 |
| 4 |
19 |
Lewis |
Steele |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
CB |
|
20 |
00:49.6 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
14 |
3 |
3 |
| 5 |
13 |
Kristofer |
Bryce |
Glasgow Glenmarnock Wheelers |
CB |
|
32 |
00:53.2 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
21 |
6 |
5 |
| 6 |
14 |
Calum |
Fleming |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
CB |
|
35 |
00:51.6 |
5 |
11 |
8 |
24 |
5 |
6 |
| 7 |
16 |
Lewis |
McCondochie |
West Lothian Clarion CC |
CB |
|
38 |
00:59.4 |
7 |
12 |
5 |
24 |
7 |
7 |
| 8 |
20 |
Rory |
Thiel |
Discovery Junior Cycling Club |
CB |
|
DNS |
00:00.0 |
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0 |
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| YOUTH D |
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Total |
Time |
TT |
Sprint |
Scratch |
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| 1st |
2 |
Oliver |
Kelly |
Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club |
D |
M |
4 |
00:56.0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
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| 2nd |
4 |
Thomas |
Wisdish |
East Kilbride Road Club |
D |
M |
5 |
00:56.5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
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| 3rd |
3 |
Una |
Morrice |
Glasgow Riderz |
D |
F |
9 |
01:02.6 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
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| 4th |
1 |
Rhys |
Edwards |
Edinburgh RC |
D |
M |
12 |
01:10.3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
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