The Masters Track Championships took place
over a 3 day period 2-4 March at Dunc Grey Velodrome. RBCC
managed to supply just 4 riders from its now vast array of new
trackies. Nevertheless we were represented by
Crispin Arnall (MM3), Mark
Arnold (MM4) & Chris White (MM6). The results were
mixed due to relevant states of individual fitness, but
considering the entry list we snared 3 Bronze, 1 Silver & 1
Gold.
Crispin
with new track bike steered away from the monster gears of the
past and put on a 91 inch gear to do the 750 metre TT in a leg
spinning 57.258 in 14th place. Backing up on the
Sunday in the 3 km pursuit saw the gears go up to only 96 inch
and spinning him to a sub 4 minute 3:57 in 15th
place. Quote “I will be back
on my 110 inch gears for the worlds …I think I was a little
under geared (understatement of the meet). (Sorry Crisping no
photos of you in action.)
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photo courtesy
Ernie Smith Photography |
Mark
with high performance coach, John
Crouchley, and plenty of quality miles in his legs, used
the Saturday night scratch race as a workout for the
pursuit. Not in the script was any notion of a result.
With 5 laps to go Mark surged off the front with only
Robert Upton able to cross over. Uppy sat on for the
next 3 laps leaving it to Mark who now gritted his teeth
and accepted his fate. With 2 to go Uppy finally took a
turn, Mark held on over the final 250 metres to post an
incredible and unexpected second place. |
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Mark, with heavy legs
the next day, left his form behind when qualifying 4th
(less than a second from 2nd fastest) in a time 5
seconds below expectations. Nevertheless he destroyed
his opponent in the ride off for bronze snaring his
second medal for the meet. |
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photo courtesy
Ernie Smith Photography |
Chris
had a mixed bag due to a lack of fitness and practice.
Not his pet event, but still confident of a result,
Chris on a new Argon Track Bike rolled out of the
starting gates in the 500mTT like a Bucko & Baz clone.
Chris posted his slowest time ever coming in over 40
seconds for the first time in his track career, but
managed to grab the undeserved Bronze Medal. The Derby
became a race controlled by the two Hunter District
Riders and Chris without the “kick” needed to come over
them had to settle for 3rd place and the
Bronze. |
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The scratch race was
a personal triumph despite coming 5th. With 3
Hunter District riders controlling the race Chris
entered into a pact with the Canberra rider, Jim Veal,
putting him clear 3 laps from home and the win. Chris’
pet event, the 2km Pursuit, posed some problems. He had
not done one since last April, settled for a smaller
than usual gear and just went for it. Qualifying 1st,
Chris was quietly confident holding nearly 2 seconds
over his opponent for the final. Expecting to out run
his opponent Chris started too casually and soon was
gapped. Two laps to go Chris down .6 second. However
this broadcast stung Chris into action and over the last
500m he made up the .6 second and put another second
into his opponent…..GOLD!!! |
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