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Last Updated: Aug 31st, 2008 - 11:30:37 |
National Veterans Omnium Track Championship
By Hugh Byrne
Aug 30, 2008,
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This was our most successful Vets event to date with 21 entrants taking part in the 4 event omnium, including all three medalists from last year and entrants from as far afield as North Down and Limerick. All events are ranked all they way down with the winner needing to be proficient in all 4 events to see who is the best veteran track rider on the island. The day started with the 'flying 200' TT to seed the riders for the sprint rounds and was followed by the Pursuit. The shorter the time trial - the greater the pain! Alan Neenan set the early pace winning the pursuit, an event he had been working on all season, with defending champion Aidan Ryan in second spot. Liam Collins, a specialist sprinter , knew he would have to dig deep in the pursuit also to give himself a tilt at the title, and he duly did posting the 3rd fastest time. Next it was the rounds of the sprints, with all riders getting at least 2 sprints and we were treated to both tactical and eyeballs out matches. Most entertaining though was the match between Brain Hammond (Usher) and Paul Swenarton (North Down) . Brian stuck him to the fence three times but each time Paul extracted himself and twice launched jumps only to be countered by Brian - the third jump was successful though! Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits) took the sprint event from Ger Ivory (Bray) while defending champ Aidan made do with the 3rd place run off as Terry Cromer tried his favoured tactic of controlling it slowly from the front all the way around, but Aidan was to experienced ...........and too fast!
Next was the scratch race with all 21 riders on the track. Largest bunch of vets I have ever seen on the track and you had to remind yourself the this wasn't a road race and that we were all on fixed! The omnium couldn't be won here, but it certainly it certainly could be lost especially as 15 riders were still in the pack with one lap to go. Terry Ferris put in some track time over the past few weeks and it paid off when he took the group sprint with all major contenders well placed.
The standing going into the final event, the 500m TT was Aidan Ryan leading on 7points from Liam Collins on 8. Liam knew he had to win this one and all the training done on that quiet road in Limerick where his track squad train would see hm do as required. However Aidan took 2nd spot and both riders ended up on equal points for the championship. As is the rule for an omnium, the result would go to the combined times for the 500m and Pursuit, giving the title to defending champion Aidan Ryan with Liam having be contend with silver despite winning two of the 4 events.
A most enjoyable days racing had by all and we expect all these riders to come back for the inaugural IVCA Track C/ships on the 20th September when we expect an even bigger field as all event on that date all events are run separately and will be further split by age. We would hope that more vet riders would come to us at Sundrive on either on the next two Saturdays in order to gain accreditation to ensure participation in the IVCA C/ships as did Paddy Fitzsimmons, Susan O'Mara and Lloyd Berry last week. All three riders participated in all events today and equipped themselves well.
Event 1 : Pursuit (5 Laps)
1. Alan Neenan (Usher) 3.08.79
2. Aidan Ryan (Sorrento) 3.11.54
3. Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits) 3.13.34
4. Ger Ivory (Bray Wh) 3.14.19
5. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 3.14.88
6. Hugh Davis (Usher) 3.19.30
Event 2 : Scratch Race (20 Laps)
1. Terry Ferris (Murphy Gunn)
2. Aidan Ryan (Sorrento)
3. Alan Neenan (Usher)
4. Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits)
5. Ger Ivory (Bray Wh)
6. Hugh Davis (Usher)
Event 3 : Sprint
1. Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits)
2. Ger Ivory (Bray Wh)
3. Aidan Ryan (Sorrento)
4. Terry Cromer (IVCA)
5. Alan Neenan (Usher)
6. Terry Ferris (Murphy Gunn)
Event 4 : 500m TT
1. Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits) 38.65
2. Aidan Ryan (Sorrento) 39.53
3. Terry Cromer (IVCA) 39.79
4. Alan Neenan (Usher) 40.56
5. Paul Swenarton (North Down) 40.80
6. Hugh Templeman (Orwell) 41.39
Overall after 4 events
1. Aidan Ryan (Sorrento) 7pts
2. Liam Collins (Cycling Pursuits) 7pts
3. Alan Neenan (Usher) 13pts
4. Ger Ivory (Bray Wh) 20 pts
5. Terry Ferris (Murphy Gunn) 23pts
6. Terry Cromer (IVCA) 27pts
Some pictures from the event courtesy of Hugh Byrne
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| The timekeepers and helpers |
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| Will explains the format of the Omnium |
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| Can I help |
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| Team Usher |
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| Terry Cromer and Ger Ivoory |
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| Susan O'Mara starting the pursuit |
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| Brian Hammong and Paul Swenarton |
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| Paddy Davis |
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| Terry Cromer and Joe Flood |
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| The big gunns launch |
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| That was tough |
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| Willie Cannon |
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| The 2008 Medal Winners |
IMAGES COPYRIGHT:
Any images included in this article remain the property of the photographer, by whom all rights are retained, 2008 ©. Use of images for electronic or print purposes is may be possible with the express, written permission of the photographer.
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