national track champs 08 #5

National Track Champs 2008 #5

Nationals Saturday

Last day of racing and some tired bodies. Handlers, Mechanic, Parents and coaches all tired after a long week. Watching international class teams pursuiting was a thrill.
Jess then rode the Open Women Keirin Heats, riding strongly and finished strongly in third place. First two went through so off to the repecharge where whe again rode strongly but missed out on making the semi finals.

Sam Webster drew a hard heat for the Open Men Keirin, and soon learned that the older and more experienced riders were able to muscle him around and intimidate him out of his second spot. Drifting to 4th left him too far to come around and so off to the repecharge. This was a much better ride and coming in the home straight one would have thought he was going to make it to the semi final. Not to be, being pipped on the line.

Jame Vercoe along with team mates George Scott and Regan Sheath qualified in 2nd fasted time both teams breaking the old NZ record set by Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Alex Cottier the previous season. At the end of the night both teams rode faster setting a new NZ record with James team coming home with the Silver.

Nathan Livingstone qualified for the 500m Scratch race in Cat 2 and then with a stunning ride won the bronze and so close to silver as he treaded his way through a gap that appeared to open up just at the right time with 100m to go.

Brett Slatter and Paul Williams both qualified for the final of the Cat 1 500m Scratch.

Ruby Livingstone, Georgia Williams, Brittany Day, and Lauren McHugh rode the Final of a new event for the U17 Girls, a 5km Scratch. With a stop start affair the riders had lots of baking up to do and this caused some crossing of wheels which saw both Lauren and Georgia crash. Brittany and Ruby finished strongly with Ruby getting up for 4th. So close and to take another 4th was great work for a young girl who had not been selected in the Auckland team and had to ride for another province that didn’t have enough riders wanting to compete. Being first girl home amongst her Auckland team mates mad ether result satisfying enough. Entry into the Nationals needs to change.

Club entries with anyone wanting to race being able to for sctrach races and points, Qualifying times Plus 2 for Timed events like pursuits and timetrials. Club points to contribute to Centre points and the Provincial sheild

	National Track Champs 2008 #5 Nationals Saturday Last day of racing and some tired bodies. Handlers, Mechanic, Parents and coaches all tired after a long week. Watching international class teams pursuiting was a thrill. Jess then rode the Open Women Keirin Heats, riding strongly and finished strongly in third place. First two went through so off to the repecharge where whe again rode strongly but missed out on making the semi finals. Sam Webster drew a hard heat for the Open Men Keirin, and soon learned that the older and more experienced riders were able to muscle him around and intimidate him out of his second spot. Drifting to 4th left him too far to come around and so off to the repecharge. This was a much better ride and coming in the home straight one would have thought he was going to make it to the semi final. Not to be, being pipped on the line. Jame Vercoe along with team mates George Scott and Regan Sheath qualified in 2nd fasted time both teams breaking the old NZ record set by Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Alex Cottier the previous season. At the end of the night both teams rode faster setting a new NZ record with James team coming home with the Silver. Nathan Livingstone qualified for the 500m Scratch race in Cat 2 and then with a stunning ride won the bronze and so close to silver as he treaded his way through a gap that appeared to open up just at the right time with 100m to go. Brett Slatter and Paul Williams both qualified for the final of the Cat 1 500m Scratch. Ruby Livingstone, Georgia Williams, Brittany Day, and Lauren McHugh rode the Final of a new event for the U17 Girls, a 5km Scratch. With a stop start affair the riders had lots of baking up to do and this caused some crossing of wheels which saw both Lauren and Georgia crash. Brittany and Ruby finished strongly with Ruby getting up for 4th. So close and to take another 4th was great work for a young girl who had not been selected in the Auckland team and had to ride for another province that didn’t have enough riders wanting to compete. Being first girl home amongst her Auckland team mates mad ether result satisfying enough. Entry into the Nationals needs to change. Club entries with anyone wanting to race being able to for sctrach races and points, Qualifying times Plus 2 for Timed events like pursuits and timetrials. Club points to contribute to Centre points and the Provincial sheild