Tom Zittel: Yesterday Connor and I rode the second round of Welwyn Track League, both of us in the B’s.

It was a lovely warm and clear evening with larger fields than last week.

In the opening 10 lap scratch I finished 3rd and Connor just behind in 4/5th.

The block pursuit followed with each of us in opposite teams. I found the pace in my group variable and did a few full lap turns or more. Connor had a similar situation in the back straight. In the end Connor took a well earned 2nd as his group won the event.

In the devil Connor rode near the front while I sat on the back of the group. We both made it to the last 4 riders when I attacked hard thinking it was the last lap. As I crossed the line with a sizeable gap they were ringing the bell! I had to really dig in and crossed the line a few meters ahead of Connor who took 2nd.
Willesden 1-2!

Neither of us made it to the end of the 10 mile scratch. there were some really handy A riders this week. Only 9 made the finish after 21 minutes.

Another great night for the Willesden!

Tom Zittel: Alex Pierce, Connor and I rode the first Welwyn Track League meet of the season all of us in the B category. Alex had come all the way down from Manchester but forgot an 8mm allen key to put pedals on his bike. Eventually, one was borrowed just in time for the opening 10lap scratch.

The group wasn’t very disciplined and after only a few laps Alex was off the front while Connor and I did our best to discourage the chase. With a few laps to go Connor put in a dig to join Alex but was brought back. On the bell lap, it was clear Alex was out of reach. I found myself in the chase group of three and finished 3rd overall. Great teamwork and Alex was promoted to the As.

In the B points race, I managed to get away solo for a few laps and bank some points. After I was caught Connor slipped away with another rider. In the end, I think we both made the podium pending official results. Alex was pushing hard in the A race grabbing a handful of points.

Connor rode the devil very well as usual. He was near the front when I was caught sleeping and boxed in early in the race. Connor went on the win!

The last race was the A/B 10 mile scratch, everyone started together instead of the Bs getting a handicap. There were three prime laps and on the final one I had the opportunity to get on a handy A rider’s wheel as he wound up for the sprint. When we crossed the line I just managed to overtake him. I was sure I would be dropped after the effort but when we joined the main group I recovered and sat in for the rest of the race. With two laps to go, I was on the front when Michael Skipsey went for a late break. I did my best to stay on his wheel knowing everyone else had sat up looking at each other. In the end, he rode me off his wheel and I finished 2nd just ahead of the main group! My best result at Welwyn for sure.

Great teamwork and a brilliant night of racing all round.