Reports by:

• Garry

Wednesday Night track league 7-11
First time out on the new Cannondale track bike, first time at the track in two years, and straight into the racing. The plan was to get down there as early as possible to do some shake down laps, to make sure the bike was right for position etc and that all parts where adequately attached. Went with a low gear, 49x16 for 82.7, compared to the usual 88 or 90 inch race gearing. Also riding on the training wheels, nine hundred spokes in each wheel and heavy 23 mm maxxis training clincher tyres. Train hard, race fast is the way to go. Just wait to I get some decent wheels on my new Capo.

I signed up for the 'B's which was about right for me. Shelley Olds of Proman Paradigm was also in my group, and she rode incredibly well, so much so that at the end of the night she was in the combined A/b points race and was in the break in that race.

Keith Jordon came out and yelled support, which was real nice.

Anyway, first race

12 lap scratch race - DNF
The difference between gentle laps warming up and racing was evident, and although the legs seemed o.k., the bike was not and the saddle clamp came loose. So I bailed and fixed it.

24 lap points race
No points gained but valuable time spent getting used to the racing dynamic again. Finished in the pack

12 lap win and out
Finished mid pack. This is a tough race. Got back to the new hard standing area to find my kit bag and contents soaked, the sprinklers had been going and had switched during our race to a new area, and the spray washed over our gear.

Combined B/C points race
Finished in the pack, what was left of it, no points gained, the gearing was to small to be really competitive. It did allow me to spin up quickly, but the top end speed was missing.

The track is looking really nice after all the work. The warm-up circle is a real treat, and now when you exit the cote'dazur you don't have to worry about flatting your new uber expensive track tyres.

Thanks for reading

Did 4 or 5 races, and did not gain any points in any event.

We did a points race over 15 laps, a scratch race over 12 laps, a miss and out and a combined B/C points race.

Ziggy came out to play as well and joined me in the "b's. He was obviously faster than most.

I managed to get a point in the first points race, but that was about it. The last race had 30 riders whizzing around, and the pace was fast. I finished just out the bracket at the end sprint, but all in all was satisfied. The new bike is super stiff and the geometry allows me to sprint out of the saddle, so that's cool.

Tim B and Keith J also rode, in the "C" group. They both rode in attacking style.

Thanks for reading

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