Eight Medway Velo members travelled the comparatively short distance to Hertford to compete in the National Championship over 8km on grass for men and associated events.
Rob Kennison led the velo riders home by taking ninth place overall in the championship final. Rob was considered by some to be a dark horse for the win, and he conserved his energy well for the final stages of the race as the pace increased more and more. In the final lap Rob was able to move up a few places and finished solidly inside the top ten.
Father and son in action
(photo courtesy of Elz Lloyd)
Tom Kennison, Steve Smith and Alex Cook also made it through the heats to qualify for the championship, although sadly Matt Nunn and Phil Booth didn’t make the cut from the final qualifying round.
Alex and Tom
(photo courtesy of Elz Lloyd)
A number of supporting events also happened and the velo riders threw themselves into these with their usual gusto and vigour.
Steve Smith made it through the qualifying rounds to race in the 800 metres final, whilst Rob won the minor final with a fine display of power.
Big sprint from Steve
Matt and Phil both rode strongly in the 3km scratch race, Matt claiming fifth, with Phil one place behind in the sixth. They both also rode in the B devil race, with Matt making the podium with third place and Phil once again a place behind in fourth.
Sally Smith rode well in her final race before a break by taking third in the women’s omnium and followed this up with second place in the women’s longest lap.
Safiya Smith rode in a number of freewheelers events, before riding her track bike to lead out the velo A team ‘The Cutters’ which also included Steve, Alex and Tom in the Italian pursuit which had to include a junior rider, whilst the B team of Sally, Rob and Matt ‘borrowed’ a rider from CC Ashwell to form team Mashwell.
Mashwell, ready to go.
Rob rounded off a superb afternoon of racing in a fantastically promoted event by claiming runners up spot in the fun fun fun race when he wowed the velo supporters by performing track stands with no hands on the bars!
Look mum, no hands!
Well done to all those who represented the velo, and alongside CC Ashwell and Colchester Rovers they provided the largest contingent of team members in the meeting, and thanks to Green Arrow CRT for an excellent promotion.
