Friday 12/5/17
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| Coaching point number 1 - keep your head up when starting race... |
The first Grass Track event of this years league took place on Friday 12th of May at Hackney Downs. Conditions were a bit damp so the years 4 and 5 riders were using their own bikes this time. Seventy seven riders from eight schools showed up with each rider racing twice. The format for the day was Keirin heats followed by a 3 lap scratch race to place the lower finishers and the top six riders taking part in a keirin final. With three first round heats per age group and gender that meant for a lot of races to get through.
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| Parkwood riders keeping an eye on the racing |
Keirin is the Japanese word for fight - and is where this particular track race originated. Over there it has a big following among the gambling fraternity and on hard tracks the riders follow a
derny - which is a small motorbike for a number of laps gradually getting faster. At a certain point the derny pulls away to leave the riders sprinting for two laps to the finish. We didn't have motorbike but we did have Russell our local British Cycling Go-Ride coach step as and ride around on bike in front of the riders getting a good work out.
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| Coaching point number 2 - wear gloves... |
The first two riders form each heat went through to the finals. In the year four girls Ishanna from Jubilee won the final followed by Olivia from orchard and Sophie from Kingsmead. Milla from Gayhurst won the scratch race to take 7th place in the standings overall.
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| YEAR 4 GIRLS RESULTS |
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| Coaching point number 3 - the fastest way round the track is on the inside closest to the cones... |
The year four boys final was won by Nicholas from Millfields followed by team mate Jimme then Arlo from Gayhurst. Gabriel from Jubilee won the scratch race.
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| YEAR 4 BOYS RESULTS |
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| Coaching point number 4 - make sure your number is pinned on correctly otherwise you might not get a result... |
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Coaching point number 5 - adjust your saddle to the correct height
- this will give you optimum power for when pedalling ...
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The year 5 girls was won in a commanding fashion by Laila-Grace from Millfields followed by team mate Ashleigh then Ruby from Gayhurst. Scarlett also from Gayhurst won the scratch race.
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| YEAR 5 GIRLS RESULTS |
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| Coaching point number six - get low on your bike and keep on the saddle when cornering on slippy grass ... |
The year 5 boys race saw a 123 for Millfields with Milton racing away followed by Kaspar then Solomon. Gabriel from Gayhurst won the scratch race.
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| YEAR 5 BOYS RESULTS |
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| Coaching point number seven - when posing for a team photo get your race face on... |
The league standings are unchanged since round six with Millfields extending their lead at the top.
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| LEAGUE STANDINGS |
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| Year 4 boys podium - clearly enjoying it |
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| Year 5 girls podium - too cool for school |
