Newport track training session 20 April 2008

 

When the day starts with a rider phoning at 0500 saying he’s lost and when he finally finds you, 10 minutes later you hit a deer, you begin to wonder how the rest of the day is going to pan out!

 
Fortunately, we had a good run down arriving in plenty of time for signing on etc. The riders had their first outing on the new team Fuji bikes, after a bit of tinkering with set up, they where ready for warm up.

 
Neither Tommy or Sam had ridden Newport before but took to it very well, Sam had a slight issue with the new tyres slipping on the track but once they had been scuffed, he was back out giving it his all.

 
First race was a 35 lap scratch race, the coaches discussed with all of the riders the tactics of riding a long race on the track so that it would be more controlled rather than one or two of the stronger riders blowing it aprt from the word go. Tom J & Tommy G both rode in the first race, riding strong, TJ pulled out around midway with Tommy stopping with around 10 to go. Both said how hard it was and learnt a lot from the race.

 
Sam ‘detour’ Cheeseman rode extremely well in the second race finishing second in a very enjoyable to watch race.

 
After each race, the coaches from British Cycling discussed the race with each group, talking through tactics, specific moves by riders that either worked or didn’t and giving feedback on to other points that had been observed through the races.

 
Each group then rode a points race and finally a devil, not the most liked event on the session plan, but as Tom J said, “you certainly learn a lot about correct positioning”!

 

Considering it was such an early start, the riders coped extremely well with the programme, giving their all and coming away tired, but full of enthusiasm and looking forward to the Omnium Series.

 

For full picture gallery of the day click here