Povey Outpowers Young English

Tonight’s meet had virtually everything: a masterclass by Sean and Christian Yates, the usual competitive under-16 racing, the impressive sprinting power of Lee Povey, the tactical nous of Charlie Sayer, outstanding riding by 15-year-old Felix English and even a very happy – and financially rewarding – 18^th birthday for Ben Miller.

SENIORS

Rupert Rivett made his trademark early breakaway in the 8-lap scratch race, quickly joined by Tim Mustin at the front. With 6 laps to go, young hopefuls Brock Duncumb-Rogers and Charlie Heffernan were making their presence felt, along with Paul Gosling. At the whistle announcing a £5 prime, Christian Yates took off to pocket the prize, then one lap later he was joined ahead by Charlie Heffernan. Sean Yates had a dig with two to go, then Martyn Potter, Felix English, Charlie Sayer and Andy Parle moved up swiftly at the bell. By the finish, others had brought themselves into contention, but it was Felix who won in style, followed home by Charlie Sayer, Mark Burgess, Christian Yates, Brock Duncumb-Rogers and Ben Sherwood.

The sprint minor final was convincingly won by Mark Burgess from Martyn Potter, then it was down to the final with classy overall league leader Felix English and sprinting maestro Lee Povey on the line. Felix tried a surprise tactic at the gun by breaking away, but Lee was alert to the danger and quickly had matters under control, shadowing his rival in the back straight. Despite a fine effort from 15-year-old Felix, his elder by twenty years took a fairly comfortable win in what could have been a dry run for the league sprint championship final next week – see below.

As the bunch was gradually whittled down in the devil-take-the-hindmost, Christian Yates moved away while his brother Sean was monitoring matters at the head of the peloton. Christian’s lead increased to an impressive 250 metres at one point, while Felix was notable behind for his repeated attempts to break away, each time countered by Sean and others. Christian’s relentless pace sealed an outstanding victory, then brother Sean made it an In-Gear Quickvit one-two, with Felix English, Brock Duncumb-Rogers, Mick Bell and Mark Burgess next in line.

With high numbers of seniors present, the 3-lap dash races were divided into A-category, B-cat even numbers and B-cat odds. Tim Hill made an ambitious break in the B-cat evens, then when he was brought back it was Bruce English who tried his luck. Alas for Bruce, he was overhauled by Charlie Heffernan before the line, while Rupert Rivett took third. The odd-numbers race remained tight until the finish, where Paul Gosling flew to victory ahead of Ben Miller and Andy Parle.

The A-cat race was a complete contrast, as fireman Mick Bell extinguished any thoughts of a compact race, going away with Mario Manelfi on the first lap. Mick then fell back on lap two, but Mario persisted in his venture, gaining a maximum of around 200 metres as the bunch continued to hesitate. Mario came home to great applause from the tifosi, before Martyn Potter took the bunch gallop for second ahead of Felix English, Mark Burgess, Charlie Sayer and Mick Bell.

Organiser Vern McClelland was keen to run a long 15-lap final race, and this proved to be a great success. Sean Yates showed his intentions early on, though Rupert Rivett, Brock Duncumb-Rogers, Oliver Pepper and Lee Smith were alert to the danger. Brock pocketed a £5 prime after just three laps, then Felix English, Daniel Clark and Charlie Sayer showed their hand. With nine laps left, birthday boy Ben Miller was busy celebrating his rise to adulthood with a super breakaway. The Miller’s Tale continued for three more laps. These included an official £5 prime then another £5 award offered by PPYCC stalwart Anthony Rogers which was promptly doubled by VC Jubilee supremo Sal Page and even trebled by race judge Dave Gerrey! Ben however almost lost out as, behind, a flying George Webster had been making up ground fast. Richer by no less than £20, Ben was caught by the fast-moving bunch as the lap-board showed 5. By now, things were becoming more and more serious, and Christian Yates, Sean Yates, Charlie Sayer, Paul Gosling, Mick Bell and Felix English were gathering at the front like vultures over their prey. At the bell, it was Christian who led through followed by Felix English and Charlie Sayer, but at the death Charlie Sayer sprinted home victorious ahead of Felix with Charlie Heffernan third. The next placings were taken by Paul Gosling, Christian Yates and Oliver Pepper.

The rain did everyone the favour of holding off until half-an-hour after the last race. Thoughts now turn to next week’s league sprint championships, which should be one of the real highlights of the season. Tonight’s sprint winner Lee Povey will have to fend off challenges from young whizzkid Felix English, fast-improving Martyn Potter, his own speedy clubmate Mark Burgess and – if present – world junior team sprint champion Pete Mitchell. Expect to see fireworks next Wednesday at Preston Park for these title-races. The championships will be spiced up by the attendance of Brighton & Hove Road Safety Department with their own Speed Indicator Device on the finishing straight showing riders’ speeds, which will be accurately confirmed by a police speed-gun.

YOUTHS

Thirty-seven youths signed on tonight, each one enjoying three different races as usual. There was the customary friendly rivalry, most evident in the U16/U14 races where PPYCC, In-Gear and VC Jubilee all have some top riders. The £10 AD Cycles voucher this week went to Ferne Leonard for her good performances and positive, smiling attitude.

U16/U14

The 4-lap scratch race was a very cagey affair, with a fast pace but no serious breakaways. At the finish, Sam Cheesman achieved an outstanding sprint win while U14 Ashley Dennis impressed with second spot. Next in line were Nick Smith and Tom Jamieson, while Sara Gent was fifth and Milo Burdeau came sixth.

Sara Gent used her allowance to good effect to win the handicap race ahead of Kim English and Ashley Dennis, then it was the devil-take-the-hindmost which ended the youths’ programme for the night. James McCarron made a daring breakaway on lap one, but his escapade ended after two laps, during which time the bunch continued to thin as riders were eliminated. Sam Cheesman engineered an excellent final 200 metres to take a fine win – his second of the evening – and he was followed home by Tom Goldsmith with U14 Ashley Dennis third. Nick Smith, U14 Sara Gent and U14 Milo Burdeau filled the next three places.

U12

In a very tight finish, Gabriel Parle won the 2-lap scratch from Jake Marley, with Jack Barnett third. Jake got his revenge in the individual handicap to take the win from Gabriel, Jack again bagging third spot. Harris Redgrove put up an impressive display to win the block handicap ahead of Amy Barnes and Megan Lewis. 

U10/U8

Harry Stacey came home alone in the U8 1-lapper, followed in by Cory Anderson and Bethany Lewis. The equivalent U10 race saw Ben O’Brien lead home his brother Ted, with Joe Hill third. Douglas McCauley triumphed in the handicap, while Ben and Ted were next over the line. Douglas had his second win on the night in the block handicap, where Ted and Ben came second and third.

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