Track Open Tempe Velodrome Sat 23 Nov 2002.  by John buckton

Firstly I would like to thank Turramurra Cyclery and the Bicisport Club for an absolutely fabulous night of racing. I know that we have one of the best velodromes in the world in Dunc Gray but it was great once again to do an open at Tempe Velodrome with some old nostalgic memories flooding back. On behalf of the contingent of Randwick Botany riders who competed at the event, I would like to thank Stewart Millar for his part in putting the event together. Thanks to Jimmy Stokes, Chief Commissaire. Thanks to assistant Commissaires/Judges Arthur Donnely, Helen Vella and Joanne Buckton. A big thank you to Kevin Young who made the evening even more exciting with his excellent PA commentary.

Photos kindly supplied by  Ernie Smith Photography 43 Patterson Street Concord NSW 2137 Phone:  02 9743 6236 Email: erniesmithphoto@bigpond.com.au   (Click on images for larger version)

You may be a little inquisitive as to the identities of the aforementioned contingent of Randwick Botany riders. I'm almost ashamed to tell you but it was only two of us, myself and Chris (Spongee) Jenkins. I had hoped to see Shaun Block at the event as I noted his name in the start list however something must have come up as he unfortunately didn't race. I can tell you, and I hope you do feel a little jealous, that Spongee and I had a sensational evening and came home with about $200 prize money between us (well Spongee got slightly more) as well as socks, jerseys, biddons and other goodies. We had a great cheer squad with the Woodhouse family sitting on the top of the first bank, the Jenkins family sitting near the start finish and other RBCC members dispersed about the course including two of the judges, Helen & Joanne, Freddy Vella and Peter Davision. I was a little frustrated with Richard who proceeded to torture me for part of the evening by opening icy cold beers right in front of me at the starting line.

Spongee was a little hesitant and perhaps a little nervous and I could understand that as he has probably been on a track bike and velodrome half dozen times or less and here he was at his first track race and it was not a club race it was an open meeting. Well true to his nickname, I told him what to do and he just soaked it all in and just went out and did it. Spongee won every event he went in.

The first race was the scratch race. I told Spongee that these were not a great deal different to crit scratch races and to just go out and do what he did in them. Spongee did that and came in first. I thought I had second in the bag before this young guy from Turramurra flashed past me and took second place relegating me to third. I knew that this guy with his speed could pose a problem for us but I had a few ideas of how to handle him. As it turned out Spongee made the sprint final with him. I walked over to Spongee to give him some words of wisdom and as I got to him I noticed that Dean Preddy was giving him some advice (no it was not propaganda from the Darkside. RBCC members will know what I mean – hint Darth Concey). No I agreed with everything that Dean told him and true to his nickname Spongee soaked it all in. Dean told him that under no circumstances he was to go past the other rider. Dean told him that he couldn't let this guy get a lead out and that Spongee's best chance of a win would come from second wheel position. I agreed and so we sent Spongee out and he followed this guy around at walking pace and it soon became obvious that the other rider wanted to ride second wheel as well. I could hardly believe my eyes. I thought I was looking at a Commonwealth Games event or something, when the first rider suddenly came to a halt and there was Spongee and his rival doing track stands trying to get the other to go first. It was so funny.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  Here was Spongee in his first ever track race, he has never even ridden a sprint race before and here he was in the final,  track stand dueling with his opponent.  Well this went on for a little while  but it soon became apparent to the other rider that he was not going to "out track stand" Spongee and although he tried on another couple of occasions he had no alternative than to lead out first wheel. So there they were picking up a little bit of pace high on the track with half a lap to the bell. The Turramurra rider was trying to keep Spongee high on the track and was looking back constantly to check out exactly where he was. I saw the Turramurra guy look forward and remember thinking, "Now would be a great time……..." but before I could even finish my thought, Spongee, like a pro, dropped underneath his rival and headed for the sprinter's lane at warp speed. His rival quickly gave chase but was unable to bridge the gap and the Sponge had another well deserved victory under his belt.

Our next race was the elimination race. I asked Spongee if he thought he could go 8 laps flat out. Spongee said, “Yes, why?” I said, “Because if you do what I tell you we can get a one, two finish in this one.” I told Spongee that in Elimination races you could get rid of the majority of the field by simply riding at the front. I told him to listen for me and that when I told him to go, sprint to the front, take the sprinters lane and don’t give it up. We both had important jobs to do. Spongee had to do what he does best and that is “hammer” for 8 laps and I had to do what I do best. Spongee said to me, “What will you be doing John?” I gave him the simple truthful answer, “I will be sucking your wheel Spongie”. Anyway this worked brilliantly and we got down to 4 riders. Unfortunately the two left were a wake up to our plan and came around me and Spongee and quickly relegated us to 3rd and 4th wheel with half lap to travel. I immediately came up alongside Spongee and said, “Spongie we are in a lot of trouble, follow me” I dug deep and attacked hard around the two riders with Jedi apprentice trackie hot on my tail and we were able to just pip one of the riders on the line and hence eliminate him. I then said to Spongee, “Go” and he immediately took the first position in the Sprinters lane. The Southern Cross rider jumped on Spongee’s wheel and I alongside him exactly where I wanted him and boxed him in behind Spongee. There was no way out short of throwing a pretty savage hook at me. So all I had to do was casually roll up alongside Spongee on the line which meant that the Southern Cross riders rear wheel was last across the finish line and he was relegated.

Final race for Spongee and I was the 40 lap points race with sprint on every 5. Dean Preddy had lost his partner for the Div 1 Madision so the Commissaire allowed him to ride the Div 2 points race. I was absolutely shot and whilst I took a couple of places early and got some points, the majority of the race for me was keeping contact with the bunch. Dean was really helpful to Spongee and led him out in a number of the sprints allowing Spongee to win every sprint. Needless to say, Spongee won the Points race as well. I dug really deep and managed a third in the final sprint but the rotten judges (two of whom were Randwick Botany members and one my own wife) informed me that I was relegated to 4th on countback. O well, as I said before, a fantastic evening and I am sure that Spongee had a fantastic evening for his first ever track meeting. Winning every race was a pretty good start.

Guys and girls, you missed a fabulous evening. I hope we get more support from RBCC on the next one.