Sunday saw Fraser and Sam take a trip to Welwyn to take part in the Eastern Region Track Championships, competing against 9 other riders from around the region. 
The event saw the boys take part in a 4 race competition, with points being awarded (1st 1 point, 2nd 2points ..etc) for each event . The winner would be the rider with the overall lowest point score at the end of the event.

The first event was a 1 lap individual time trial from a standing start. They got off to a solid start with Fraser finishing 5th in this event and Sam in 6th place.

The second event was an elimination race or Devil, where the last rider is eliminated each lap until only 3 riders are left, they then sprint for the final places. The boys both survived the initial rounds of elimination comfortably demonstrating good awareness, and ever increasing track skills. It came down to the last 5 riders, 3 from Welwyn and 2 from West Suffolk. As the pace increased in a tight sprint for the line Fraser was the first to succumb to the Welwyn team tactics, it was now 3 against 1. Sam survived the next round, but looked to be struggling on the back as the 3 riders picked up speed for the final sprint, however in the final 50 metres with a sudden burst of speed he went from 3rd to first in a matter of seconds, a win for WSW!

The third event was a 1 lap bunch sprint, riders were places in groups of 3 or 4 based on their positions in the previous 2 races. Fraser was first up racing for position 5-8 with a final sprint he comfortably took 6th, but given an extra 20 metres would undoubtedly have got 5th. Sam was next and in a very tight race managed to nick 3rd place on the line.

The final event was a 6 lap scratch race. The initial laps were more like a nice Sunday afternoon ride with the entire bunch sitting together comfortably but as the race neared an end the pace started to rise, driven on by Fraser and Sam. Before you knew it the bell rang and the final lap was on. As the last bend was taken both the WSW boys were in a good position with Fraser building his speed for the final sprint and Sam trying to fight his way through the bunch. A fantastic effort saw Fraser 5th and Sam claiming 2nd. 

Elation for Sam at an overall podium place was however soon shattered when the commissaire advised him that in the final sprint he’d made an illegal move and was being demoted from 2nd to 3rd in the final race leaving him 4th overall and Fraser in 5th. This was in fact more lenient than they could’ve been as in an adult race it would lead to a disqualification. A hard lesson learned.

Overall a great days really competitive racing, with the boys both looking ever stronger and more aware of the track environment.

Adult or junior and fancy giving this great sport a go? If you’re interested please contact Peter Waghorn @ Welwyn Wheelers (pete.waghorn@gmail.com)

More photos of the day can be seen here.