GAME ON!
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Results Series 7 For Week 1 Friday, June 20 2008
RAW Track Newsletter 2008 sponsored by:
The excitement of a child on Christmas morning would be an appropriate metaphor for what I witnessed on the first night of RAW Track 2008. The anticipation was genuine and the smiles were clear to see on the faces of the riders as they signed on for another season of fixed gear fun. There was a multitude a backslapping and handshaking as competitors re-acquainted themselves with friends and rivals after a long layoff period. In amongst all the frivolity were a contingency of worried faces belonging to the DGV Track racing virgins. However the worried faces were quickly replaced with beaming smiles after round 1.
Andrew McLean leads the bunch
Possibly one of the biggest success stories of FNWTR and now RAW Track is the sheer number of cyclists who have been introduced to track racing through this medium. The introduction of a designated beginners division (div 5) several years ago has proven to be the required open door into the velodrome world. Four years ago Australian Sprint Champion Kaarle MCCulluck entered the sport in Div 5. Is it possible that last night we may have seen the beginning of a new career?
Twenty one competitors signed on in Div5 for their first crack at the Olympic velodrome. Under div 5 rules we run simple races with packs no bigger than 10, hence last night we had 3 groups of 7 riders in each of the three races they competed in. It was clear by the pace of these races that a good number of the riders had raced on the road before and it was noted that several of them had good pedaling styles. The racing in Div 5 was very exciting and I would like to congratulate all twenty one first timers.
Div 4 bunch
The feature race for week 1 was “The RAW Track 1.5km wheel-race” for Div1. A large field and very tight handicapping, particularly between 40 and 60m’s, had everyone predicting a scratch race. However, the limit riders had other ideas as they quickly formed a solid working lead group of 9 riders. Off scratch, young super star Scott Law easily crossed the 40m gap to the back of the main group which pulled in the entire field bar the 9 leaders. Daniel Wright showing a little bit of inexperience exploded out of the lead group with a little less than 1km to go. He opened a sizable lead and was looking good until 250m to go when he ran out of gas. At this point Jules Galli launched his bid for the win at the precise moment that the two big groups merged. Scott Law also started his sprint, high on the track passing all riders like they were standing still. Law entered the final 50m still in 6th place but swooped home to finish 2nd only cms from the elated Jules Galli.
Ben Harvey (3rd) Jules Galli (1st) and Scott Law (2nd)
The “Time Blaster” started with a full field of 24 in an effort to hit the target time of 9min 05 seconds. After the first 10 laps the field was 3 seconds down on schedule. With the screws being slowly tightened the size of the field quickly dwindled to 9 riders who would contest the last 10 laps and were now 1 second up on target. With 6 laps remaining Jackson Law came to the front and turned on the gas. With Scott planted firmly on his wheel and the remaining field hanging, Jason Austin attempted an unsettling sprint two laps out, but Scott Law was onto it and jumped out of the saddle leaving Jason behind to win the event in 8min 52 sec (50.8km/h). This is a fast time and will be hard to beat in the coming weeks. In fact last year, 8:54 was the time to beat in week 13.
Scott Law 8min 52sec (50.8km/h)
Next week will feature the RST www.cyclecoach.com 1.5 km wheel-race for Div 2. In addition to this we will have our first Madison night.
So who are the favorites to win the 2008 RAW Track Series?
Favorite 5-3 Jason Roberts: The big man was second to Gavin White on equal points in 2007 and second to Bolan in 2006 by 3 points. Jason has proven he has what it takes to be consistent in both endurance and sprint events throughout the year. Last night Jason placed well in all events which indicates that he has early season form. In the past, Jason has started the season a little underdone then rode himself into form. Is 2008 the year of the big man?
Equal favorite 5-3 Gavin White: In last year’s predictions I didn’t even have Gavin on my radar for overall contention. But what a year he has had. Silver medal Masters 2 Worlds Sprint Championships and Australian Gold medal in the same event. Last night he has shown he has maintained some awesome form when he won round three.
2-1 Jackson Law: Jackson has really come of age over the last year he is the current U17 Australian Scratch race Champion and has developed a tactical mind under the guidance of father Grant Law. With Scott Law in South Africa for the World Championships, the well drilled Jade Kitchens team may direct their focus on promoting Jackson to leader.
5-1 Mitch Stock: Last year Mitch was 3rd on the series point score and is capable of repeating this result. Is he capable of stepping up to being series leader? Alex Frame: Started track racing in 2007 in Division 4. This year he actually knows what he is doing.
6-1 Andrew Herrmann: This LACC rider is a force to be reckoned with in 2008.
7-1 Scott Law: Junior World Title duties should prevent this talented rider from taking out the series however I have personally seen many things that should have prevented Scott from winning races.
9-1 Michael Mellish: A solid sprinter capable of winning anything, but the long trip from Wyong may prevent him from winning the series. Jayson Austin: Can break away in any race. Rarely wins in a sprint. David Browne: David is like a Termite…Not easy to see, very hard to get rid of and devastating if given the opportunity.
10-1 Simon Llewellyn: watch out for Simon he could be a dark horse. Chris Brown: freaky strong 15-1 All other riders from week 1 Wild Card If J-L Rathbone turns up, all Books are frozen. |
