Despite the bitterly colds conditions the opening meeting of the Track League had a good level of support and a record number of youth riders – 44 riders split into three age categories.
The opening Senior A group event was won by local rider George Farrell in close finish with Martin Ruepp. John McClelland the 2012 series winner opened his account with a win in the Devil while his clubmate Kristian Woolf won the Points race.
Theo Doncaster dominated the Senior B group winning all three races and risks promotion to the higher category along with Kieran Brady who was also on top form
The senior 10 mile saw a breakaway of five riders – John Mclelland, Kristian Woolf, Mark Smith, Luke Morgan and Joe Fry – escape with 15 laps remaining, working well together they steadily pulled away from the pack opening up a half lap lead at the bell.In a tight finish the verdict went to Mark Smith form John McClelland and Luke Morgan.
The strong Youth A group with 12 riders produced some highly competitive racing with Jack Plumley taking all four races but pushed hard by Frank Longstaff and Jordan Mooney.
Charles Page was an impressive winner of all four Youth BC events and will join the Youth A riders from now on. Local riders Will Raymond and Tom Durkin filled the minor places. Top girl was Harriet Mellor who will pressurise the boys in this group.
Youth CDE as ever has a wide age range – Felix Mackie won the 3 lap scratch but the next three handicap races did not favour the scratch riders and gave opportunities to the limit riders – gratefully accepted by Sophie Lewis and a very determined Lauren Higham especially in the 4 lap handicap leading out at the bell and holding of the chasers.
The standard and high numbers in the youth categories promises an excellent series to come.
Senior A
10 lap Scratch
1 George FARRELL Welwyn Wheelers
2 Martin RUEPP Iceni Velo
3 Mark SMITH Welwyn Wheelers
Devil
1 John McCLELLAND Prestige Velo
2 George FARRELL Welwyn Wheelers
3 Joe FRY RST
10 lap Points
1 Kristian WOOLF Prestige Velo
2 Mark SMITH Welwyn Wheelers
3 George FARRELL Welwyn Wheelers
10 mile
1 Mark SMITH Welwyn Wheelers
2 John McCLELLAND Prestige Velo
3 Luke MORGAN CC Luton
Senior B
10 lap Scratch
1 Theo DONCASTER CC Ashwell
2 Brian EVANS Herts Wheelers
3 Kieran BRADY Cioty Centre Cycles
Devil
1 Theo DONCASTER CC Ashwell
2 Kieran BRADY City Centre Cycles
3 Anthony MORRIS CC Ashwell
10 lap Points
1 Theo DONCASTER CC Ashwell
2 Kieran BRADY City Centre Cycles
3 Gareth RICHARDS Shimri Cycles
Youth A
10 lap Scratch
1 Jack PLUMLEY Welwyn Wheelers
2 Frank LONGSTAFF Team Terminator
3 Glen DOSSETT Welwyn Wheelers
Devil
1 Jack PLUMLEY Welwyn Wheelers
2 Dan MAYNARD Welwyn Wheelers
3 Frank LONGSTAFF Team Terminator
10 lap Points
1 Jack PLUMLEY Welwyn Wheelers
2 Frank LONGSTAFF Team Terminator
3 Jordan MOONEY Welwyn
8 lap Handicap
1 Jack PLUMLEY Welwyn Wheelers
2 Jordan MOONEY Welwyn Wheelers
3 Frank LONGSTAFF Team Terminator
Youth B
5 lap Scratch
1 Charles PAGE Hillingdon Slipstreamers
2 Will RAYMOND Welwyn Wheelers
3 Tom DURKIN Welwyn Wheelers
Devil
1 Charles PAGE Hillingdon Slipstreamers
2 Tom DURKIN Welwyn Wheelers
3 Harriet MELLOR Hillingdon Slipstreamers
Points
1 Charles PAGE Hillingdon Slipstreamers
2 Will RAYMOND Welwyn Wheelers
3 Tom DURKIN Welwyn Wheelers
6 lap Scratch
1 Charles PAGE Hillingdon Slipstreamers
2 Will RAYMOND Welwyn Wheelers
3 Harriet MELLOR Hillingdon Slipstreamers
Youth CDE
3 lap Scratch
1 Felix MACKIE Lee Valley Youth CC
2 Christian MANZI Welwyn Wheelers
3 Sam ASKER West Suffolk Wheelers
3 lap Handicap
1 Sophie LEWIS CC Ashwell
2 Sam GAGE Welwyn Wheelers
3 Lauren HIGHAM Welwyn Wheelers
3 lap Handicap
1 Lauren HIGHAM Welwyn Wheelers
2 Fraser ELSWORTH West Suffolk Wheelers
3 Ben GRIFFIN Welwyn Wheelers
4 lap Handicap
1 Lauren HIGHAM Welwyn Wheelers
2 Joe KIELY Welwyn Wheelers
3 Imogen CHASTELL Welwyn Wheelers
