English Gives Brighton a Masterclass

Overall league leader Felix English gave a master-class of powerful racing tonight, with four wins to boost his domination of the season-long competition. His two main league rivals were missing (Adam Gent on holiday and Lee Povey preparing for the national masters championships), but you got the impression that, whoever was on the track, he was unbeatable – almost!

The one victory which eluded him was the 8-lap opener. Tim Hill went away early on with a determined effort, then it was Brock Duncumb-Rogers who took control at the front. Rupert Rivett, Christian Yates, Charlie Sayer and Charlie Heffernan showed their intentions with appearances at the head of affairs, then just after the bell Phil Smith gave a dig in the hope of hesitation from the bunch. Alas for Smith, there was too much at stake and at the end of a full-on final lap it was an impressive Mark Burgess who took the win ahead of English and Sayer, followed by Duncumb-Rogers, Heffernan and Daniel Clark.

Thereafter, English reigned supreme. In fact, you could say it was one of those “Felix nights”. He got his revenge on Burgess in the A-cat keirin, outsprinting the Team Terminator rider for a fine victory, while Sayer was third. There followed a fascinating 10-lap block handicap race devised by organiser Vern McClelland, with three groups starting separately. Paul Gosling, Rob Dean, Martin O’Brien, Nigel Foskett and Phil Smith were the leading lights from the front group for the first half of the race, then with two to go it was down to the serious business as the As came thundering up. Inevitably, English triumphed followed by Sayer, with B-cat Gosling taking a great third place. Yates was next in line, with Andy Parle fifth and Heffernan sixth.

Perhaps league supremo McClelland wanted to test the tactics of the in-form Felix in a move designed to put the cat among the pigeons, as he added a smattering of B-riders to the A-cat 3-lap dash. The cunning and experienced Anthony Rogers went away with just under two to go and built a lead approaching 100 metres. He was reeled in with half-a-lap left, though, and guess who won the sprint? Right first time, it was Felix English, with Sayer, Burgess, Rogers, Gosling and Duncumb-Rogers in his slipstream.

Burgess pocketed the £5 prime after two circuits of the 25-lapper, then for the next two laps Smith made long appearances at the front. This was the calm before the storm, though, as the heat was on with eighteen to go with English forcing the pace bigtime. During a short lull, Andy Parle went away and earned £5 for his pains, but his freedom was short-lived with English joined by Sayer, Yates, Heffernan and Gosling pushing down hard on the accelerator. Exactly at mid-race, English, Yates and Sayer went away, never to be seen again. Heffernan, Gosling, Dean and Duncumb-Rogers made impressive efforts to get the trio back, but it was a lot cause. Yates won his customary weekly £5 prime with seven laps remaining, then the three stayed together until the final lap, when English rocketed away for his fourth win on the night, followed by Yates and Sayer. Heffernan put up a great display for fourth, Gosling took fifth and Duncumb-Rgoers came sixth. In a very tough race, the remaining top-ten slots were filled by Rupert Rivett, Phil Smith, Andy Parle and Rob Dean in that order.

The earlier B-cat keirin for odd numbers saw Gosling beat Dean with Martin O’Brien third, while the even numbers race was won by Heffernan, Neil McClelland taking runner-up spot and Daniel Clark third. Tim Hill gained 100 metres in the B-cat 3-lap dash, only for his hopes to be dashed – sorry! – by Dean, who took a well-deserved win. Smith won the bunch sprint for second, while early attacker Hill was third.

YOUTHS

There was something special about the youth racing tonight. Despite the absence of some key riders, all age-groups enjoyed some scintillating contests. The best of these featured the U16s, where five In-Gear contestants were pitted against as many VC Jubilee reps, with sundry other hopefuls thrown into the mix for good measure. The weekly AD Cycles £10 voucher went to U16 Tom Garland for his attacking – and successful – rides.

U16/U14

James McCarron put in a worthy breakaway for the first two laps of the 4-lap scratch, but by the bell it was Tom Garland flying away ahead on his own. Tom stayed well ahead to the finish, where Sam Cheesman took second and Nick Smith was third. Sam won the handicap race, in which Tom notched up second spot and Ashley Dennis came third. Tom enjoyed a runaway victory in the points race, gaining all the maximums. This, together with his other great performances on the night – earned him the weekly voucher prize. In the scrap for second place, Sam came out top, with Nick third and top U14 Milo Burdeau fourth.

U12

Habitual winner Gabriel Parle triumphed in the 2-lap scratch, though Amy Barnes challenged hard in the closing stages and took a fine runner-up placing, with Harris Redgrove third. Katie Thomas rode well to take the handicap win, Harris was second and Gabriel came third. Gabriel totally dominated the points race, winning all maximums. Amy showed her strength to take second and Spencer Thomas was third. The other points-scorer Harris was fourth, while Megan Lewis celebrated her eleventh birthday a day early with fifth place.

U10/U8

League leader Cory Anderson won the U8 scratch event ahead of Bethany Lewis and Nicholas Withers, while there was a fine display by new rider Richard Hoyle for fourth. Douglas McCauley took victory in the equivalent U10 event, sprinting home in front of Ben O’Brien and Ted O’Brien. Ben won the individual handicap in style, followed by Ted, with Charlie Brooker third. The block handicap was dominated by Charlie, Bethany Lewis took second and Ted came third.

Report by Gavin Smith, Photos by Sally Page/Daniel Bunbar