The grass track season kicked off on Sunday 10 May at Ashwell, with debutant Nick Rush joining Stephen Brook and Sam Brook on the start line. It was grey and windy most of the day, so team supporters Ros, Teresa and Peter had their beanie hats and puffa jackets on for most of the day!
On his grass track debut, Nick showed the same turn of speed in the sprint events that we see each week off the start line in CX races. Stephen and Nick raced in the ‘B’ group (for more mature riders not wanting to take on the young whippets … ) with Stephen finishing 2nd in the overall ‘B’ group omnium. That was much better than last year, it must either be the training or the new tyres !
Sam likes to have a crack at all the race formats, sprint and endurance. He finished 3rd in the 800m sprint final and 2nd in the 2-lap Handicap race. The Open 8km scratch was stopped after only one or two laps owing to a crash in the final bend; the race was restarted a while later; Sam bridged a 40m gap back to the leading group having been dropped, only to go straight past the leaders and attack with 4 laps remaining. He held the lead until about 100m to go, finishing 3rd – but that result was enough to win the overall Open Omnium.
If anyone would like to have a go or just come and see what grass track is all about, we have training sessions at Fornham All Saints Community Centre on Wednesdays from 7pm. We can lend track bikes for those wanting to have a go. Thanks to Karl for mowing the track for us.
Our grass track meeting is on Sunday 7 June, it is a round of both the Short Track and Endurance National Series, and has the Open 400m National Championship. Racing starts at 1pm and spectators are welcome.