VETS LEAGUE
Running on the evening of the 2nd Saturday of every month from April to September, our racing league for Vets puts riders through their paces with a different mix of events every round. The League will take place over 6 rounds with racing officially starting in April. Riders are split into 3 ability based Open categories, with enjoyable, inclusive and competitive racing for women aged 30+ and everyone aged 40+. The League serves as a great test for established racers, but also aims to help introduce new riders into racing as part of our track pathway.
Jan’s Cafe will be open throughout for hot and cold drinks, and snacks.
Racing is free to watch at Herne Hill Velodrome and for spectators there’s no need to book in advance. Join us this summer at the track to enjoy some top notch live racing!
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT YOU NEED TO RACE
Race Licences
All racers will need to have either a full, provisional or day licence issued by British Cycling in order to race.
British Cycling Race Membership includes a provisional race licence. You can purchase a full racing licence in addition to a Silver or Gold Membership.
If you are racing in the A category, hold a Bronze membership, or are not a member of British Cycling you will need to purchase a licence on the day at sign-on (the cost will be between £5-£10, as detailed here)
A category riders racing on a provisional or day licence will not be awarded British Cycling ranking points in any qualifying races.
Track Accreditation
All riders must have either a UK Track Accreditation (Lee Valley Stage 4 or equivalent) or an HHV Race Accreditation.
Session experience
We ask that all riders either have previous experience of track racing or have been attending our Intermediate Training or Race Training sessions. Not sure if you’re ready to race? Just ask the coaches
Your own bike
All racers need to have their own bike or a season-hire bike.
RACING CATEGORIES
Vets League is split into three ability-based Open categories for everyone aged 40 and over, or turning 40 in 2024. In the B & C category entries are open to women aged 30 or over, or turning 30 in 2024.
A category – Fast racing for our top riders who have been training hard and want a tough work out. British Cycling ranking points are awarded in qualifying results/races.
B category – Medium speed racing for local-level racers.
C category – More entry level racing for newer, older, or less fit racers.
We ask that racers select the category which is most appropriate for them, however we reserve the right to change a rider’s category if we deem it appropriate to do so. If the entries for your chosen category are full on any given night, please do not enter another category
We do allow riders to move up (or down) to another category during the season.
To know if it’s appropriate to move up to the category above, we recommend using the following criteria: In order to move up a category, riders will need to have won and frequently scored top 3 positions in a variety of races, over a number of weeks, using a range of tactics (eg. Scoring from bunch sprint / Scoring from a breakaway / Scoring from a solo attack) before they are ready to move up. Particularly from the Cs to the Bs
TIMINGS, ENTRY & COSTS
The league runs on the evening of the 2nd Saturday of every month from April - September. A special additional team event is scheduled for the afternoon of 29th of June - the inaugural Chris O’Hearn Memorial Trophy.
Saturday 13th April
Saturday 11th May
Saturday 8th June
Saturday 13th July
Saturday 10th August
Saturday 14th September
All racing is from 5.30pm - 8pm, with track warm up starting at 5pm. Sign on from 4.30pm.
Each race entry costs £12.50
Enter via Rider HQ
VOLUNTEERING
As Vets League is a community-run league, we’re always keen for people to get involved and we can always do with extra support on race nights. There’s lots of different ways to get involved: sign on, judging, whipping, photography etc. If you’d like to get involved you can sign-up here.
RACING PROGRAMME
Round 6 - Sept 14th
Sign on from 4.30pm
Track warm up starting at 5pm
Racing from 5.30pm
Prizegiving from 8pm
Warm Up Scratch / Tempo / Devil / Pts (60+ Scratch)
Racing order: C Cat, B Cat, A Cat
SCORING & RESULTS
2024 Results / 2023 Results
A Category
1st 60pts, 2nd 50pts > 6th 10pts
B Category
1st 6pts, 2nd 5pts > 6th 1pt
C Category
1st 0,6pts, 2nd 0.5pts > 6th 0.1pts
League awards to be made for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places overall in Open and Women 40+ Category. There will be awards for winners of the B, C, Women 30+, 60+ and 70+ categories. Awards will be calculated as the best four performances from the six rounds.
A Category riders will be awarded British Cycling points for qualifying results/races.
Photographs courtesy of Mark James