WORLD MASTERS TRACK - Big cat diary

WORLD MASTERS - Manchester - Scratch  Race

So to the Scratch race, we did have over thirty sign on for this, so with only 24 riders allowed on the track some would be unlucky, I kept my gear the same which in retrospect was a mistake, these guys may be over fifty but when they have to move themselves for a 'one time only deal' they sure get a shift on! Only 5Km (20 laps) to wait everything was going to plan following Poppelwell high up the track to keep out the bother down the bottom, fine at 30mph maybe even fine at 35mph but in a sprint for the line above the Madison line when you loose your wheel and I was in a drag race to the line, the Argentinian Zoric and Trevor Burke at the front under geared and at the back only myself to blame if I did not make the cut?

Line out - 10Km Scratch race

There were allot of black looks in the pen from Phil fellow competitor Adrian (Shaftsbury RC) who had just seen his own qualifying go up in smoke when ten riders in groups of two and three gained a lap leaving him short in 14th place. Umm Ah! long wait for the result (photo) 11th place phew! Get that gear put up now!

Peter Toth (CAN) - Double Gold (Pic - Steve Walton)

The final a completely different race of course, for some qualifying is the final a chance to say "I was there" but for those with more ambition a plan even, the final is an opportunity, a blank canvas something to be moulded (or played) a bike is the instrument, my 33 year old 'Roberts' with a pedigree in British and European races was ready to take me through that kaleidoscope of faith and fear that is the simple Scratch race, double the distance for a final we had just watched Dave Rowe WORLD MASTERS TRACK - Big cat diary  carried off on a 'gurney' in the 65-69 Points race the first man I ever saw win a bike race at Herne Hill in 1968 (I was six) the magic dust sprinkled that day made me a 'trackie' not a sprinter like Dave but the eternal loop,  Dave would be back broken neck or not!

Crossing the line third - Behind the Canadian

The preceding race the 45-49 was also 'broken race' (or at least split) four riders go from the gun and lap the field inside 5 laps, its all over (but for the four) a race with nowhere to go but around the boards the others will never finish, always a lap too short. Americans David Klipper is the Champion, Italian Luca Agostino Salvedeo the Silver and British rider David Brinton Bronze
So we take to the track, riders are twitchy, I cruise around on the wheels, this gear (96") feels big! It is big! too big for my weak leg! Get a grip! Nobody is getting the slightest chance to get away, this could be a problem for me as a big sprint finish not my forte, I watch the other riders make their play, the bunch toy with them like a big cat with a sweeping tail, dropping on them with sharp claws feeding out a bit of freedom and then pouncing and killing the move but not dead just wounded, save the kill until later until we've had our fun!

Faithful Roberts 'iron' gets me throug

This continues throughout the early laps of the race. The bunch elongates as the pressure goes on and I have to pay close attention but it's still 20 laps out, too far to make a break, suicidal! Manchester rider Jerry Cross has another attack, he's gone before and its a weak move, the bunch hardly take up the chase but I sense that there is an opportunity. Ten laps out its a long way but this race is going nowhere for me, I drop back a bit we are all high on the track, cats like to sit high up and observe their territory, comfortable and knowing. I have to make my move and now is the time, think too much and you will not do it. A clean break that is all I need and then for the bunch to hesitate, you can risk making a slower move, taking somebody with you, share the risk and the limelight but in the end its full power and nobody is getting my wheel, the bunch less likely to chase a solo.

Podium - It's nice!

Its eight to go on the line so I just wind it up and launch myself underneath, it's always all or nothing, the gear feels big almost as big as I used in the Pursuit, It's going to be my second pursuit of the week after all! My head is down and I just go as hard as I can, the next time I'm aware of anything I catch sight of the bunch on the other side of the track, Wah! I'm going to take a lap! The cat is asleep, I can do this, all sorts of things go through your head but the main one "I'm gonna be World Champion!"  Then the pain begins to build, from the bottom of your toes to your waste, this is going to be painful, Oh! yes there is a price to pay, nothing I can do, just keep going lap after lap 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 the pain is bad so you slow down thinking the pain will go away but surprise surprise it doesn't.  I am totally unaware of what else is happening, there is quite a bit of noise as the crowd get behind me willing me on, I feel their excitement, I'm in limbo

With a lap and a half to go a rider goes past Toth? In his distinctive silver helmet, bugger! No way I can get on his back wheel and then a half lap later another Le Beau? Where does that leave me? Bronze? I can still raise a sprint, I'm unaware of anybody else but when they come you do not feel it, now I am the prey and the talons are out. I cross the line still thinking I might be passed but I've kept a good pace to the end  Gerard O'Connell (AUS) who was with the Canadians comes a distant fourth unable to hold the speed of the other two who are in another league So my 'direct' attacking play for Gold yields a Bronze but I'll take that, my first step on the World podium and place up from yesterday I just went from too far out and let them back into it  but If i had delayed the opportunity would have gone. It's thin pickings for the Brits again Apperly in 10th, I'd like to think they did not chase but the Canadians working as a pair as good as they are almost unbeatable but at least I tried