Willesden Cycling Club

Last week’s prime!

Tom Zittel: Last Friday down at Welwyn track league Alex Pierce joined Connor Woodford and me, Alex’s first race back from a shoulder injury. We also had loads of Willesden supporters making the trip which added to the atmosphere.

First up was the B scratch with me and Connor riding. We both spent nearly the whole race chilling near the back. I was nearly caught out as I heard the bell, a bit boxed in and nowhere near the front! I managed to find some space through the middle of the group and came around everyone at turn three opening up a gap. Connor chased me down and just got around me at the line. First and second respectively!

Next, we had a block pursuit and Alex had a handicap race with the As. Connor and I were on opposite sides. In the first half Connors group was leading, I did a longer turn and did my best to motivate my group and we came back and took a slim lead. It was very close at the end, Connor opened up a gap from the rest of his group while I was on the front of mine giving it everything. Connor won it by a bike length!

Alex rode a really good handicap race and came away with 2nd in the 2 man break after completely burying himself to stay on the wheel of the winner.

The 10 lap points race (points every lap) for me and Connor went well, I won the first few sprints and stayed in the top three as long as I could. Connor took to the front as I faded and got a gap on the group for a while. The last few laps I managed to get a few more points. We don’t have the results yet but hopefully we each made the podium.

The last one of the evening was the mixed 10-mile scratch. The Bs were given a half lap handicap and we were caught within about 5 laps. I spent the early part of the race conserving energy (good plan!). I was on Alex’s wheel for quite a while and Connor was on mine if I remember correctly. When the 2nd prime came up I was 4th wheel and right behind an A rider who was looking like he would give it a nudge. I was ready and stuck to his wheel when he jumped with 200m to go. I did try and come around but have no idea who got it. So much for conserving energy, I fully expected to be dropped from the race but did recover and stick with it till the end. In the closing laps, everyone left was really winding it up. On the bell I was 4th wheel and Alex 5th, I managed to stay with them for the finish but there was no way I could come around! Alex crossed the line behind me in 5th.

Another cracking night for the Willesden!

Tom Zittel: Connor and I rode welwyn track league tonight. Connor is in first overall in the B league while I am 4th.

In the opening 10 lap scratch I finished 3rd while Connor rode in the As.

Next up we both rode the B points race, the results haven’t been posted yet but we both were very active, points every lap. Connor was away in a group of three for quite a while. I expect he made the podium.

In the devil we both rode well. With two laps to go I attacked over the top of the group, Connor joined me in the bell lap and led around the final turn. I just managed to get around him at the line. Willesden One-two!

We both started the ten mile as the mist filled the track. Neither of us finished.

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.