West Suffolk Wheelers and Traithlon Club held their annual Grass Track race meeting at the Priory School on Saturday August 6^th. The event included a round of the National 800 metre championship, but failed to attract the big entry expected. However Tim Snook from Ipswich Bike Club, who was lying second in the series to date was competing, but was beaten to the line in the final by the home club’s top young rider, Alan Trolove, who although just 16 has dispensation from British Cycling to ride with the adult riders. Trolove also surprised many with his speed and endurance in the 8 kilometre race, which he won in dominant style, lapping the entire field in the 38 lap event. Adam Keer from Ipswich held on to Trolove until about half distance, but after contesting and winning an intermediate sprint, dropped back, but still finished second, with team mate Daniel Zagni third, and the home club’s David Young a creditable sixth.

Tim Snook won the Devil (take the hindmost) and the Win and Out events, as well as the two lap sprint for veteran riders (over 40). His Ipswich BC team was also favourite for the Team Sprint, but were soundly beaten by the West Suffolk Youth team of Trolove, Jonny Sjolin and William Mapus-Smith, who at just 13 years of age performed brilliantly at only his second competitive event. Sjolin and Mapus-Smith also rode well in the distance race for U16s, over 15 laps, finishing first and third respectively, with regional hard-track champion Goater in fourth, with Sjolin also winning the 2 lap sprint for that age group.

The Madison race, where teams of two relay each other into race action on a lap-by-lap basis, was held over 30 laps. Trolove and Keer teamed up to form an unbeatable combination, with Snook and Zagni second, and the youth pairing of Ed Goater (Ashwell CC) and George Wood (Maldon CC) riding well into third place.

Other Wheelers taking part included Steve Newman and Jonathon Wilson, who paired up in the Madison, Jon’s son Alex who finished third in the freewheel section, and Ed Ballam, who made a return to cycling, but only in the sprints!

The events for young riders were run on an omnium basis, with the U16 section won by Goater, the U14 freewheel section won in fine style by Mildenhall CC’s Colin Mantle, and the U12’s won by Robert Mercer (Colchester Rovers).