Location: Lyme Valley Stadium, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Event: 3 May 2012
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The 2012 Brook Cycles Track League Season started at the Lyme Valley Velodrome. Despite a dodgy weather forecast of rain and heavy rain reported 10 miles away it stayed dry throughout the event. A good turnout of riders attended despite the weather forecast with some very close racing throughout the evening.
In the A class endurance league Ryan Whatmough of Shepherds Cycles took an early lead with a score of 10 points as he won three events in the 8 lap scratch, devil and a very fast 30 lap scratch which ended the nights proceedings. Closely behind Ryan was Joe Evans, Velocity RT who scored eight points with him winning the 12 lap points race.
The A class sprint events saw a photo finish in the keirin final where Sean Mayer, Swinnerton Cycles held on to take the win from his fast closing teammate Barney Swinnerton. Sean also won the opening round of the Neil Potter sponsored 500m handicap league from Sassan Emadi, Tunstall Wheelers.
In the B class races Joel Partington, Sportcity Velo dominated the races as he won all four races on the night in taking the 8 and 30 lap scratch events, devil and the course de primes. Alex Webb Lyme RC also scored well on the night in taking three second places.
The youth races saw a number of riders move up this year from the Freewheelers League with all doing well at their first taste of fixed wheel racing. Sallie Birchall, Lyme RC showed that she had trained hard over the winter as she won the devil and was a member of the winning team sprint team. She also took second places in the 200m time trial and the youth scratch to become the early overall lead. Teammate Ashleigh Williams also scored well with five points followed by first time rider at the league Bailey Wilmot who rode a great race to win the final 6 lap scratch.
The freewheelers league started the night’s proceedings and saw a massive turnout of 28 riders which is very encouraging for the season ahead. With most of last year’s group 1 riders moving up to the main league it was great to see many new faces.
