Another top night of track racing was had by a large group of the junior cyclists. With a large group there were lots of racing and plenty of riders to have some fun and try their best on the night. Several riders arrived for their first night of track racing and all had plenty of smiles. First race of the night was a 1 lap time trial. In the Junior A grade section Elliott Gin posted a best ever time of 32.05 sec which is closing in on levels for racing at State level. Second place went to Tom Dudley 33.09sec whilst Morgan Clark recorded a 33.96 sec. These times were several seconds better than last seasons times. In the Junior B Grade division, Matt Dudley showed the benefit of some mid week training plus some sessions out on the road as he clocked a personal best of 35.80 sec. Next was Tom McFarlane 37.02 sec, who has managed to take a second of his previous best time of last week. Harley Elms in his second night of racing showed he is coming to grips with track racing quickly as he peeled of over a second from last weeks time to clock 38.12 sec.

With extra numbers we were able to keep the program flowing so next up were the Junior A for a 5 lap scratch race. Elliott Gin made the first move into the back straight and lead into the home straight only to have Tom Dudley sweep around and claim the win. Morgan Clark lead the other riders home for third place. In Junior B, Matt Dudley showed he was on a roll as he lead out down the back straight and rode the challengers of to claim he second win for the night. Mitch Gin worked hard to secure second ahead of Tom McFarlane.

In the first of the handicaps, the Junior A race was over 1 lap and Morgan Clark (20m) flew of the mark to round up the limit markers and take a convincing win ahead of Tom Dudley (10) and Elliott Gin (scr). Their follow up handicap was over 2 laps and again these backmarkers managed to catch the leading duo of Liam McCall and Ben Patterson at the 200m mark. Elliot Gin timed his finish run to perfection to claim the win by a tire from Morgan Clark and Tom Dudley.

In the Junior B field, they had 2 races over 1 lap with revised handicaps for the second event. In the first race James Scott (40), having his first night was pedalling well out front but that was a good target for Harley Elms (30) as he first fended of the challenge from Will Lumby (20) and then just had enough to last in front of the fast finishing Matt Dudley (5) and Mitch Gin (10). In their second race James was moved out to 60m and nearly made it to the front at the finish but Matt Dudley was really flying and scored the win from the Scratch mark ahead of the improving Harley Elms (25) whilst Will Lumby (20) picked up third.

To have all the riders share in the racing the riders were placed into 3 rider teams for a 1.5 lap Olympic sprint. However, with 11 riders Elliott Gin drew the short straw. He was matched with James Scott (a 2 rider team) and had to race 1 lap compared to the other teams where riders were exposed at the front for only a half lap. However, Elliott and James worked really well to post a time of 53.16 sec which secured second behind Morgan Clark, Tom McFarlane and Matt Dudley with 51.38 sec whilst the 3rd team was Tom Dudley, Will Lumby and Liam McCall (53.59 sec)

By this stage of the night the riders were getting tired but all were still keen on the elimination race except for Tom Dudley who dashed to a social engagement. After some a few quiet early laps the pace was on and Morgan Clark rode of the front of the bunch and out of trouble. Meanwhile behind riders were having to concentrate to avoid being the last rider over the line each lap and hence eliminated. With 3 laps to go it was Morgan then a bunch of 3 riders, Ben Patterson, Elliott Gin and Liam McCall. Ben was the first to be eliminated and then at the bell lap Liam McCall who had worked really well could not manage to get round Elliott and took 3rd place whilst Elliott took 2nd and Morgan cruised home for the win.

Next Wednesday night after track training, the Annual General Meeting will be held at the Junior Football Rooms so we look forward to seeing a good turn out of members.

Race report by Lindsay Love