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Report: Revolution 26

5th December 2009, Manchester Velodrome

Full Results | Report: Eddie Allen | Images: Richard Robotham | Event Website 

Revolution 26 saw the return of the enigmatic Bradley Wiggins, a cameo appearance from former skier Alain Baxter and the competition hotting-up in both the overall team standings and in the Future Stars categories. Eddie Allen reports on another fantastic night's racing on the Manchester boards.

Revolution Sprint - 200m Time Trial

Rollers' Matt Crampton took the top honours in the opening event of the night, narrowly pipping Ross Edgar with a blistering time of 10.310. The event also a guest appearance from former Olympic Downhill skier Alain Baxter who posted a creditable 11.607.

1. Matt Crampton Rollers 10.310
2. Ross Edgar Dynamo 10.368
3. Craig MacLean Slicks 10.434
4. Dave Daniell Tempo 10.453
5. Jason Kenny Flyers 10.517
6. Pete Mitchell Forza 10.613
7. Roberto Chiappa Vitesse 10.660
8. Alain Baxter Guest 11.607
9. Jamie Staff Pacers 11.984

Devil/Scratch Race

The elite endurance guys were next on track for the devil/scratch race, which took the form of an eliminator for the first 14 laps followed by a 10 lap scratch race. The devil took some high profile casualties including Rob Hayles, Leon Van Bon, Steven Burke, Ed Clancy and Andy Tennant. Once the elimination phase was over, it was Wiggins who completely outstripped the remainder of the field, opening up with 4 laps to go and closing on breakaway rider Luke Rowe, taking the win to uproarious applause from the crowd.

DHL Future Stars Points Race - Boys

Dynamo's Declan Byrne took the win in a hotly contested Points race which also saw strong performances from Sam Lowe and Robert Lampton. Owain Doull, who dominated the competition in Revolution 25, had a quiet start to the evening only scoring 2 points overall.

1. Declan Byrne 8pts
2. Robert Lampton 5pts
3. Sam Lowe 5pts

Revolution Sprint - Round 1

In Heat 1, Jason Kenny narrowly beat veteran Roberto Chiappa to progress to the Semi Final. It was big Matt Crampton who had the edge in Heat Two, beating Pete Mitchell to earn his place in the Semis. Heat three was an all Scottish affair with Ross Edgar taking it from the front ahead of Craig Maclean, who left himself too much to do in the final lap. The final heat saw Jamie Staff, returning from injury, beaten by the relative youngster Dave Daniell.

Progressing to Semi Finals
Jason Kenny
Matt Crampton
Ross Edgar
Dave Daniell

DHL Future Stars Scratch Race - Girls

Emily Kay took the first Future Stars girls event of the evening, taking the fight to series leader Hannah Barnes, who Kay narrowly pipped on the line.

1. Emily Kay Dynamo
2. Hannah Barnes Forza

1km Madison Time Trial

The first part of a two part 1km Madison Time Trial saw the team of Chris Newton and Tim Kennaugh post the fastest time of 1:00.737, just ahead of Tom Murray and Katusha pro Ben Swift. With four pairings still to go later in the competition, things were left on a knife edge until the handslinging action resumed later in the programme.

When the competition resumed it was time for the top seeded riders to show their mettle, and it was the pairing of Clancy and Tennant for Tempo who produced the fastest time of 57.053, just edging out Rob Hayles and Leon Van Bon of Forza.

1. Ed Clancy, Andy Tennant Tempo 57.053
2. Rob Hayles, Leon Van Bon Forza 57.747
3. Bradley Wiggins, Leif Lampeter Slicks 57.718
4. Chris Whorrall, Steven Burke Pacers 58.515
5. Chris Newton, Tim Kennaugh Rollers 1:00.737
6. Tom Murray, Ben Swift Vitesse 1.00.861
7. Luke Roberts, Mark McNally Dynamo 1.01.431
8. Dean Downing, Russell Downing Flyers 1.02.017

Revolution Sprint - Semi Finals

In Semi Final 1 it was Ross Edgar who eliminated Jason Kenny on the line after Kenny gave the diminutive Scot too much room at the bell lap. Kenny came on strong in the final lap but didn't have the legs to overhaul Edgar.

Semi Final 2 saw a clash between powerhouse Matt Crampton against, well, another powerhouse by the name of Dave Daniell. After a fine display of technical stalling it was Crampton who took it comfortably from a late charging Daniell.

Progressing to Final

Ross Edgar
Matt Crampton

DHL Future Stars 6 Lap Dash - Boys

Sprinter John Paul took the win in the six lap dash after a spirited effort from Sam Lowe, who headed the pack for much of the race. Lowe was finally overcome by the pack in the final lap, with the promising Paul at its head

1. John Paul
2. James Berryman
3. Owain Doull
4. Robert Lampton
5. Olli Rossi

15km Points Race

Consistent scoring throughout the sprints handed Luke Rowe victory in the Points race. Rowe played a supporting role in all the sprints and whilst other riders scored erratically, Rowe was always there when the bell tolled. All eyes were on Points legend Chris Newton, but the man from Stockton on Tees had a quiet night. The same couldn't be said for Wiggins, who was in combative and crowd pleasing mood, chasing down breaks and attacking just for fun. However, Rowe's party was nearly spoiled by George Atkins who took off after Wiggins late on, latching onto the back wheel of the rangy Londoner and audaciously overtaking Wiggo to take 5 points, much to the displeasure of the crowd. However in the final sprint, Rowe placed higher than Atkins and whilst they drew on points, Rowe was awarded a deserved victory.

1. Luke Rowe 10 pts
2. George Atkins 10 pts
3. Leon Van Bon 8 pts
4. Ed Clancy 7 pts
5. Luke Roberts 5 pts
6. Leif Lampeter 3 pts

Revolution Sprint - Losers 6 Lap Dash

Classy Craig Maclean took the victory in the loser's 6 lap dash in a sprint for the line with Dave Daniell, both of whom reeled in the charismatic Chiappa who took a long, long lunge for home.

1. Craig Maclean
2. Dave Daniell
3. Robert Chiappa
4. Pete Mitchell
5. Jason Kenny
6. Jamie Staff

DHL Future Stars Points Race - Girls

Emily Kay took a second victory of the night in the Future Stars Girls competition, throwing down the challenge to series leader Hannah Barnes. Initially it looked as though Barnes would stamp her authority on the Points race, cruising the first sprint ahead of Melissa Bury. However Emily Kay took Barnes by surprise in sprint two, coming over the top to take top points. Forza's Natalie Hill counterattacked after the sprint and gained a quarter-lap and almost hung on for the five, but was overhauled by Hannah Leyland. Halesowen's Kay wrapped up the victory, figuring strongly in the final sprint and eventually beating Barnes by four points.

1. Emily Kay 12 pts
2. Hannah Barnes 8 pts
3. Harriot Owen 7 pts
4. Layland 5 pts
5. Roberts 3 pts

Revolution Sprint - Final

Ross Edgar beat Matt Crampton to sew up the sprint competition. Crampton was left with a lot to do after Edgar got the jump on him at the bell and while Matt pushed Ross all the way, Edgar had the legs to hold off the big man and take the win.

1. Ross Edgar
2. Matt Crampton

DHL Future Stars Scratch Race - Boys

Robert Lampton took top honours in the scratch race taking the fight to series leader Owain Doull. However in the early stages it was Kyle Yates who was most active, going off the front in the early stages before being caught by the pack. Not content with pace, Yates gathered himself and went again but once again sat up to rejoin the pack. Rollers' Harry Tanfield then went clear benefitting from a disorganised bunch behind and gaining around a quarter of a lap with four laps to go. The pack finally responded and Tanfield was caught with two laps to go. On the bell, the aggressive and impressive Rob Lampton attacked and took the bunch sprint, with series leader Owain Doull in tow taking second, a performance which meant Doull retained his overall series leader jersey.

1. Robert Lampton
2. Owain Doull
3. Alistair Slater
4. Olli Rossi
5. John Dibben

Keirin

All eight sprinters lined up, shoulder to burly shoulder, for the Revolution Keirin. From the off, Jason Kenny took up pole position behind the Derny with Keirin master Matt Crampton tucked in behind. Chiappa was first to show his hand with Staff on his wheel. Crampton looked boxed in and out of it as the pace wound up. Then the experienced Craig Maclean unloaded and came over the top with no-one able to match his pace. Meanwhile, Crampton had somehow extracted himself from his boxed-in position and managed to overhaul Jason Kenny to take second place behind the popular man from Grantown-on-Spey.

1. Craig Maclean
2. Matt Crampton
3. Jason Kenny
4. Pete Mitchell
5. Jamie Staff
6. Dave Daniell
7. Roberto Chiappa

DHL Future Stars 6 Lap Dash - Girls

Emily Kay made it three out of three, winning the final Future Stars girls event of the evening and sending a very clear message to rival Hannah Barnes, who Kay just overhauled on the line. However, Barnes had done enough to retain her overall leader's jersey.

1. Emily Kay
2. Hannah Barnes
3. Harriot Owen
4. Jess Anderson

10km Scratch Race

The final endurance event of the night was won by George Atkins who was involved in early five man break including Tim Kennaugh, Ben Swift , Russell Downing and Dan Maclay. The race immediately fragmented after the five men successfully gained a lap, with Kennaugh and Atkins finding themselves in the front group, which went on to gain a decisive second lap. To win, all Atkins had to do was beat Kennaugh in the final sprint, which he did convincingly.

1. George Atkins
2. Tim Kennaugh
3. Luke Roberts
4. Chris Newton
5. Tom Murray

Team Italian Pursuit

Just as in Revolution 25, the Italian Pursuit was the final event of the evening, with a combination of sprinters, endurance riders and Future stars all on the track together. This time it was Rollers versus Slicks, with team captain Craig Maclean bringing the Slicks home first, sealing a fine performance from the team, who sat at the top of the overall team standings after two events.

1. Slicks 1.37.408
2. Rollers 1.46.013

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