With your usual author absent, Wilf not only ran Senior Racing at the TEC on Saturday but he’s been kind enough to provide a race report on the days events as well. Thanks Wilf, it sounds like you certainly put the riders through their paces!
Sam King, David Cook and Tom Simmonds attended a very intense Development Squad session, starting with the traditional one-lap timetrial in which Tom cracked 1:45! This was followed by a wheelrace and a high-paced 11 lap scratch race set with a plus 35k/h average speed. Several senior riders joined the youngsters and their input and support was greatly appreciated. David and Tom then decided to stay for the senior event, joined by 13 intrepid and keen riders.
The first event was a timetrial – to set a base mark for the rest of the program. This was held in two sections to allow for proper starts – most of the seniors could pick up a second or two by practising!
| Rider | Start time | Finish time | Real time | Position |
| Ray Phillips | 0:00 | 2:09 | 2:09 | 15 |
| Dave Jenner | 0:30 | 2:38 | 2:08 | 14 |
| Pete Wilkinson | 1:00 | 2:56 | 1:56 | 13 |
| Richard Wilkinson | 1:30 | 3:24 | 1:54 | =11 |
| Tom Simmonds | 2:00 | 3:54 | 1:54 | =11 |
| David Cook | 2:30 | 4:21 | 1:51 | 8 |
| Pete Creagan | 3:00 | 4:47 | 1:47 | =4 |
| Billy Mara | 0:00 | 1:50 | 1:50 | =6 |
| Phil Thomas | 0:30 | 2:23 | 1:53 | =9 |
| Rhys Williams | 1:00 | 2:41 | 1:41 | =1 |
| Andrew Swan | 1:30 | 3:17 | 1:47 | =4 |
| Paul Williams | 2:00 | 3:43 | 1:43 | 3 |
| John Scott-Hamilton | 2:30 | 4:20 | 1:50 | =6 |
| Mick Hoult | 3:00 | 4:41 | 1:41 | 1 |
| Dene Bourke | 3:30 | 5:23 | 1:53 | =9 |
Note: There was general derision regarding Dave Jenner’s time and the handicap it earned him for the first wheelrace gave him a very easy (suspicious?!) half-lap win.
The second event was a series of three-lap wheelrace, divided into ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ groups, with the four best from each facing off again in a final (thanks, Bullo). Handicaps were based on TT times and 10 seconds equated to 100 meters – with some adjustments. This took some explaining, but using short words and sign language, instructions were passed on – and followed more or less successfully. Starts were ‘held’ and there were no technical problems due to newly purchased whistle.
First Race:
GO (start line) – Dene Bourke and Phil Thomas
50m – Tom Simmonds and Richard Wilkinson
75m – Pete Wilkinson
400m – Dave Jenner
500m – Ray Phillips
Except for Dave Jenner, everyone came together during lap two and young Tom just won the sprint ahead of Phil T and Richard W.
Second Race:
-20m – Mick Hoult
GO (start line) – Rhys Williams
25m – Paul Williams
50m – Andrew Swan and Pete Creagan
75m – Billy Mara and John Scott-Hamilton
100m – David Cook
Again, everyone came together as backmarkers put in big efforts from the start to catch up. Mick crossed the line in first place, followed by Rhys, John and Andrew.
Final:
GO (start line) – Mick Hoult
50m – Rhys Williams
100m – John Scott-Hamilton
150m – Andrew Swan
200m – Phil Thomas
250m – Tom Simmonds
300m – Dave Jenner and Richard Wilkinson
Richard and Tom managed to hold off the pack for most of two laps and Mick’s huge effort up the final climb dropped Rhys and John. The sprint was won by Swanny, followed by Mick – Richard just pipped Tom for third place.
As everyone was having so much fun, a short Crit was organised, with the two Wilkos, two Daves, Tom and Ray getting a half lap start. After about 8 minutes, the catch looked imminent and Wilfried called two laps to go – with David Cook and Richard still having a few hundred meters lead. David put in a two lap sprint and finished first with a considerable gap; Mick brought home the rest with Rhys digging deep for third.
David Cook and Tom Simmonds had a huge afternoon, as did the senior riders who had joined the early session. The “Rider of the meet award” is shared by Mick Hoult and Richard Wilkinson: both put in fantastic attacks and sprints throughout the afternoon.