Go-Ride Racing at Bromley Bike Blast
Go-Ride Racing helped to launch the first annual Bromley Bike Blast which took place in South London's Norman Park on 19th June 2010.
The centrepiece of the event was the racing arena with its 120m grass track. The programme for the day featured three Go-Ride Races to give the recent influx of Bromley based Go-Ride clubs a taste of racing.
Race 1: Pursuit
The first race was a two lap Pursuit. Some of the riders attacked from the word go and rode the entire two laps flat out, while others took a more tactical approach, conserving their energy to finish strong in the closing stages.
Alexander Alxinbile from Go-Ride Penge and James Harradine of host club Bigfoot Go-Ride fell foul of the weather conditions but showed great resolve throughout the races. Overall, Bigfoot Go-Ride's MacIntyre brothers dominated the TT with Cameron and Callum winning their Under 8 and Under 12's categories respectively and Aaron posted an impressive 5th position. Amelia Coombes of Go-Ride Penge won the girls Under 10's category ensuring rivals Bigfoot didn't have it all their way. Another noticeable performance came from Harrison Coombes of Herne Hill Youth as he showed off his years of experience training on Herne Hill Velodrome's off road trails, setting the fastest time of the day and winning the Under 14's category.
Race 2: Scratch
The second event was a six lap Scratch race. Luckily for this race the sun had come out to dry the circuit and heat up the racing. All the races mixed fast and furious racing with some great tactical awareness. The skill of the riders was showcased as they manoeuvred amongst each other around the tight course at high speed. It was also refreshing to see different riders leading the bunch race to the two lap pursuit.
Scott MacAvlay, winner of the Under 8's race, was a great example of what a great success events like the Bromley Bike Blast can be. The rider from Hayes had seen the event advertised at his school and hadn't thought about racing until he saw the pursuit happening earlier in the day. Giving it a go he found his natural talent and now plans to visit his local Go-Ride club to get more involved. Robert Mills of Priory Go-Ride lead the Under 10's race from the start, this meant that one rider from each club present on the day had won an event. Previous winners Harrison Coombes and Callum MacIntyre picked up 1st and 2nd in the combined Under 12's + 14's Scratch, just ahead of Alexander Alxinbile who had recovered after his earlier tumble on the grass.
Race 3: Team Relay
After a break to enjoy the rest of the Bike Blast event, and take part in the Bicycle Parades, the final event was a fun Team Relay-Pursuit. Riders were split into two groups either side of the track. One rider from each team sprinted off round the track whilst the next member of their team prepared themselves.
Team A drew an early lead at one point just catching Team B out at the change over. However it wasn't long until Team B pulled back the half lap lead to draw even. In the closing stages of the race however, it was Team A who proved the winners.
For more information on your next local Go-Ride Racing event please visit the event calendar and select Go-Ride Racing in the discipline bar.
Photos courtesy of Charles Potter of www.bromleycyclists.org/g-r@bbb.html
