SLGP: Day 1 Race Report
The competitive Women’s Omnium at the South London Grand Prix. Photo by Mark James
Day one of South London GP got off to a blistering start yesterday with an enthusiastic crowd, some great racing and race wins for locals hitters, national champions and track stars of the future.
Team GB’s Ella Barnwell looked to have a stranglehold on the elite women’s omnium after winning both the opening scratch race and the tempo, but Cat Ferguson (riding for Shibden Hopetech Apex before her big move to Movistar later this year) was having none of it. After scoring well in the first two events, Ferguson won the elimination and with Barnwell finishing fourth, this meant they entered the decisive Points Race level on 114pts. Barnwell left nothing to chance and took 3 of the opening 4 points laps to build a commanding lead and eventually take the overall Omnium win. Ferguson held on for second and an incredible last 5 sprint laps saw Miriam Jessett take 22 points and leapfrog 3 other riders to nab 3rd place.
The decisive breakaway in the women’s omnium points race. Photo by Mark James
The Men’s 15km Scratch Race ebbed and flowed for the first 5km or so before Tom Ward set off on a speculative attack. A lack of cohesion in the bunch allowed Ward to extend his lead as the laps ticked by, with only Gustav Johansson and Frank Longstaff setting off in pursuit. As the pain became visible on Ward’s face, he dug deep, got aero into the back straight headwind and held on for the win. Johansson held on for second, with George Nemilostivijs shooting out of the bunch to take third.
The women’s sprint competition was dominated by team GB. Photo by Mark James
In between the early endurance races the women’s sprint competition lit up the track. After some blistering flying 200m qualifying, team GB sprinters Milly Tanner and Lauren Bell made light work of the competition on their way to a final match up. They pushed each other to the limit, with Tanner winning in two straight rides and Bell having to settle for 2nd. Rhian Edmunds beat Canada’s Emy Savard to round out the podium.
As the pros took a break, it was the kids’ time to shine, with the best local U10s and U12s providing the entertainment. Some short and sharp races saw Teddy Canty, Delilah Duits, Jacob Day and Mehreen Taimur crowned champions and rewarded with some great prizes.
The local youths took to the track for some racing during the break. Photo by Mark James
The Men’s Elimination set off at a rapid pace and never let up. The elite international riders were no match for the local talent and before long James Ambrose-Parish, Jacob Vaughan and Alec Briggs were battling it out for the podium, with the Tekkerz rider celebrating his eventual victory with his trademark wheelie across the line. A big shout out to HHV Junior Dylan Belton Owen, who took an outstanding 8th place in a stacked field.
Alec Briggs wins the Men’s Elimination. Photo by Mark James
Local legends took on international stars in the men’s keirin and despite some early moves, the heats held to form, with five GB hitters and multiple Argentinian National Champion Lucas Oscar Vilar malking the major final. The Argentinian made them work for it - grabbing 3rd spot - but Team GB’s Hayden Norris and Harry Ledingham-Horn were just too strong, taking 1st and 2nd respectively.
Local legend Dr Izu Chukwulobelu takes on the GB sprinters in the Men’s Keirin inbetween commentating duties!
A great evening of racing was capped off with an incredibly tight Men’s 30km Madison. George Nemilostivijs and James Ambrose-Parish got off to a flying start, taking 5 of the first 6 sprint laps and with it a commanding lead. That early effort took its toll and as the race progressed Tom Ward and Will Perrett built on some consistent early scoring and Alec Briggs and Joe Holt started winning consecutive points laps to move into the overall lead. With only 4 points separating the top three pairings going into the final double-points sprint, it was all to play for and feeding off the energy of the crowd, Tekkerz pairing Alec and Joe found the extra watts to take the 10 pts and with it the victory.
A handsling between local juniors Luke and Dylan in the Men’s Madison. Photo by Mark James
With an elite Men’s Omnium, Women’s Keirin, Men’s Sprint and Women’s endurance races, Day Two of the SLGP promises to be a beauty, so get yourself down to the track, grab a drink and some frites and enjoy the racing!
Report by Sam Holden
Final Results from Day 1 (use arrows to scroll)
