National Track Championships 2012

Day 1

7 VCL members are in action at the National Track Championships in Manchester this week.  Yesterday’s racing saw James Solly and Henry Martin take to the track for the Men’s 4k individual pursuit.

Solly on track

Henry was up first, setting a time of 5:02.186. James was drawn in heat 6. After a slightly shaky start he was quickly into his rhythm, posting a 4:50.808. He was still in contention to qualify for the 5th – 8th ride off until the very last heat of the day pushed him down to 10th. Both riders are competing in the nationals for the first time and reckon they can go quicker. The race was won by Owain Doull who caught his opponent in the final.

Today James and Iain Cook will be riding the points race with Henry taking part in the Kilo. Other VCL members taking part are: Hisham Al-Ramah, Andrew Bradshaw and Thomas Finch, who are competing in the U16 Madison on Saturday; and Toby Blackman in the Omnium on Sunday

Results – Men’s 4k Pursuit
1. Owain Doull 4:25.885
2. Jon Dibben – caught in 3min 21s
3. Douglas Dewey 4:38.038
10. James Solly 4:59.808
19. Henry Martin 5:02.186

Day 2

Day 2 saw James Solly and Iain Cook in the points race and Henry Martin in the Kilo.

In the first of the two qualifying heats for the points race Iain clipped off the front to take 3 points in the first sprint. From then on it was a case of clinging on to wheels and trying to make it through the next 70laps. He tried to add to his tally in the final sprint but finished just outside the points. The 3 points wasn’t enough to take one of the 12 qualifying spots. In the 2nd heat James started in much the same way – attacking off the front for the first sprint – but the bunch wasn’t having any of it and he was caught before the points. In the aftermath of the 1st sprint there was a race defining split in the bunch. James, still recovering from his effort, was the wrong side of it and ended up losing a lap. He made several valiant attempts to re-take the lap he had lost, but it wasn’t to be. He ended up 15th, narrowly missing the cut.

In the Kilo Henry made a flying start getting out of the gate well and holding the effort for the full 4 laps without fading too much at the end. He posted a 1:12.409

Day 3

Day 3 saw James Solly and Iain Cook in the points race and Henry Martin in the Kilo.

In the first of the two qualifying heats for the points race Iain clipped off the front to take 3 points in the first sprint. From then on it was a case of clinging on to wheels and trying to make it through the next 70laps. He tried to add to his tally in the final sprint but finished just outside the points. The 3 points wasn’t enough to take one of the 12 qualifying spots. In the 2nd heat James started in much the same way – attacking off the front for the first sprint – but the bunch wasn’t having any of it and he was caught before the points. In the aftermath of the 1st sprint there was a race defining split in the bunch. James, still recovering from his effort, was the wrong side of it and ended up losing a lap. He made several valiant attempts to re-take the lap he had lost, but it wasn’t to be. He ended up 15th, narrowly missing the cut.

In the Kilo Henry made a flying start getting out of the gate well and holding the effort for the full 4 laps without fading too much at the end. He posted a 1:12.409

Day 4

Iain and Toby were racing in the Omnium.