"Alan Trolove won the main race at Trinity Park Ipswich tonight under the eye of WSW President and Chairman - they are on the left in the photo.   Alan was exercising his BC dispensation to compete in senior races - he would otherwise be too young.   There was one tier of handicapping in the one hour race - the Elite and First Cats were set to make up three minutes on the 2/3/4s.   They did not make it - not least because the  break off the front of the 2/3/4s, including Alan, worked well together right to the end"  

Having recently gained enough licence points to ride with senior riders in circuit races 16 year old Alan duly lined up with the Third and Fourth category riders at the second of the evening series races at Trinity Park, Ipswich. The Elites, First and Second cat riders effectively started about three quarters of a lap behind and during the hour-long race were gradually catching.

But in the meantime five riders clipped off the front of the group of thirds/fourths and these included young Alan, who looked comfortable at their pace. At the bell the main body of thirds/fourths, which included Steve Newman and Andy Elderfield, Richard Stiff having just lost contact a lap or two earlier, were caught by the fast group, lead through by Hugo Robinson, Phil Hetzel and Nathan Miller. The chase was on to see if Alan’s group could stay away. Their lead had extended to about 30 seconds by this time and as the crowd anxiously awaited their appearance into the home straight they emerged still ahead, and out of the group emerged Alan for a long sprint for the line, just holding off fast James Jobber for a brilliant win, with the chasing pack coming in about 20 seconds later. Brilliant win !

We were also represented in the Novice Adult and U16 race, with Jonathan Sjolin riding very well into twelfth place, out-sprinting two adults in his group, with his Dad, Soren, making his road racing debut coming home alone in about 23^rd, out of about 30 riders.

This Ipswich series has made a very promising start and I can see it becoming a very important part of the local racing scene. Who else is coming over to take part or spectate? There are another four meetings in this year’s series. Novice Adult/U16 race starts at 6.55, with the main race at 7.30. Trinity Park, formerly known as Suffolk Show Ground.

Barry Denny