Cronshaw takes Sprint in Epic Final

Th2 2008 50-54 National Masters Sprint Championships ended with an epic sprint final between Dave Le Grys of VC St.Raphael and Brereton Wheelers rider Steve Cronshaw.

Despite being run off over two laps, following a bizarre decision by organisers, like each of the Sprint finals the showdown between Cronshaw and Le Grys proved to be epic. Cronshaw hit the front immediately and managed to hold off Le Grys for the whole encounter to take a well deserved Gold Medal

Steve Cronshaw, Masters 50-54 Sprint Champion

Due to the unusual format of the sprint riders chose tactics of sprinting from the gun, making for extremely exciting racing that unfortunately did not favour the pure sprinters, allowing endurance riders to time-trial away to victory

In the Time-Trials, Bruce Croall of the 30-34 age category had to be the star, with a stunning 1m 04.454s Kilo giving him an easy victory an a maiden Masters title. Infact Croall's time was good enough for a 21st place finish at the Senior World Championships held in Manchester earlier this year

The 70+ Competitions always provide exciting action, with riders amazing onlookers with their times, despite being the elders of the sport. The 70+ Sprint final produced a three up battle between Masters regular Laurie Rissbrook, Roland Crayford and Brian Dacey. 'Riss' was the instigator of the action with a charge from the line to get himself to the front, however when Crayford set off neither Laurie or Dacey were able to keep up and Roland took the title with relative ease.

Men's 70+ Sprint Podium Rissbrook, Crayford, Dacey

Women's events were dominated by Janet Birkmyre, who again demonstrated how both Women's Track Cycling at Masters and Senior level is suffering in Britain, as she walked away all five titles