A cold and wet Friday evening in January is usually not an attractive option for riding a bike. When the bikes are indoors and it’s the 4th Round of the Wattbike racing league it’s an altogether different scenario.
With the riders warmed up and ready to go the 1000m Scratch race was the first of the evening’s races. Rob Satherley, of Group 1, riding the Wattbikes for the first time, showed early signs of being the on form rider winning in a time of 1.15.60mins. Group 2’s race was won by Dave Nelson with a time gap of just 3 secs. separating him from Simon Newey in 2nd place. Paul Askey won in a time of 1.10.50 mins for group 3 but was pushed all the way by Graham Birch who took 2nd place just 5 tenths of a second behind.
The Devil race, with pre-determined distances meaning the last rider to reach it is eliminated, guarantees fast and furious race in which tactics are all important. Satherley of Group 1 won again, as did Simon Newey from Group 2 and Simon Smith of Group 3.
The short distance, 500m, of the next event belies the effort that the riders will put in. The starting effort is all important and many riders adopt the same techniques to do so as used by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton. A time of 33secs for Julie Cooper meant she took the Group 1 honours. A fast and furious event in Group 2 with just 4 seconds separating all the riders saw Simon Newey win in a time of 29.6secs. Riders in Group 3, among them cycling champions, were keen to deliver the fastest times of the evening. 28.7secs by Warren Holmes ensured this was the case with a valiant effort by Paul Askey of 28.8 secs. giving 2nd place.
The next race, Course de Primes, (the race of sprints) consists of 6 x 200m sprints and a final 400m sprint. The first rider to reach the 200m mark earns a point; double points are awarded on the last sprint. The rider with the most points wins the race. This really is a tactical race as riders choose when to time their efforts to best effect. It is unlikely that a rider will take consecutive wins and the race could even be won by the rider who saves their energy for the last sprint. Julie Cooper, Dave Nelson and Gary Gee took the wins in their respective groups.
A short respite in the evenings races allowed riders time to recuperate whilst the teams were decided for the next event: The Team Sprint. Teams of 3, with a rider from each group, became the format for this race with each rider required to ride 250m. The cumulative time decides the overall winners. Debbie Capewell, Wayne Geldard and Simon Smith completed the total 750m of the race in 43.48secs to take 1st place.
The now traditional finishing event, the 3000m or 4000m in the case of Group 3 is the Scratch race. This final test of endurance can see riders jockeying for positions throughout the race. A time of 4.14.40 secs. gave Satherley first place followed by Michelle Drakeley and then Nicky Healey. Bertie Newey, of Group 2, launched an impressive and sustained attack from the start, taking a clear lead. Settling into a rhythm he was then able to maintain his lead till the end of the race. With last weeks winner of Group 3 not competing the evening’s final race gave other riders the chance to shine. Consistent effort saw Graham Birch claw his way into the lead to take the win, followed by Warren Holmes and Gary Gee.
Overall the league standings have seen some changes, Graham Birch leads by 2 points followed by Julie Cooper, Paul Askey and Stuart Clark
The next event takes place on Friday 6th February at the Friary Grange Leisure Centre. For more information please contact Phil Kelly at the leisure centre on: 01543 308842 or Nigel Capewell on: 07768 560 932
