Paralympic Champion Darren Kenny, OBE is in hard training for next month’s world championships. Verwood-based Kenny has just spent two weeks at the Newport Velodrome in Wales ahead of the Championships in Los Angeles, California. A mixture of high intensity speed work and pacing behind a motor bike should see Kenny in top form. At last year’s championships in Italy he won three gold medals and will be looking to defend all his titles in the USA. He will start as favourite in the 1km TT and the 3,000m individual pursuit.
The team sprint however will prove a harder ask. A change in the rules means the GB team cannot pick their strongest three riders. Kenny will line up with world & Paralympic champions Jody Cundy and Sarah Storey.
The three were picked after a series of trials at the Welsh cycling centre, Mark Colbourne and Jon-Allan Butterworth were the other riders in contention.
The London Paralympic games are on the horizon and media interest in the squad is intense. BBC Wales, BBC Sport, The Sunday Times Channel 5, Reuters, The Press Association & Cycling Weekly were all in attendance at the squad’s hotel Also heading to the states will be tandem pilot Barney Storey. Now based at the national cycling centre in Manchester, Storey, from Corfe Mullen remains a member of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers. Storey, along with visually impaired stoker, Neil Fachie will compete in the 1KM time trial and the tandem sprint. It promises to be a busy year for the squad and both Kenny and Storey will hope to be selected for the London Paralympic games in August/September.
Roger Papp, operations manager at BCC tells "E D" about the recent meeting to discuss the future use of the Bournemouth Track:
The first meeting of “Friends of BCC” (Bournemouth Cycling Centre) took place at the Hotel Collingwood in Bournemouth on Monday 16 January 2012.
The first meeting was open to everybody which enabled a broad selection of views on the centre to be received.
BCC were very pleased with the attendance, which included local clubs and riders, in addition to organisations and businesses that have made bookings at the centre since it opened.
A broad and detailed selection of information was provided to the meeting, and it was interesting to note there are already 150 riders registered with BCC who have taken advantage of the 117 sessions arranged so far.
From a financial prospective the centre is meeting their target for year one, which from a standing start has been very encouraging.
Bournemouth Borough Council have agreed a progressive ramp up in charges for ground and site maintenance, payable by April of each year, and while their objective is to be “cost neutral”, this still requires a significant and increasing sum to be paid each year to the council.
BCC is run as a not for profit “Ltd” organisation, and to support their development they presented a comprehensive business plan which includes growth in track usage, through Schools, University and Youth groups.
Sessions already booked for 2012 include:
• A weekly Track League to be run each Tuesday evening commencing 17th April to end of August. This is a British Cycling open series.
• A weekly intermediate training session each Wednesday commencing 18th April. This is for BCC licensed riders, or those who have progressed to stage 2 accreditation or above.
• A Saturday kid’s club. Start date and details to be advised.
In addition BCC also plan to extend use of the site to include Cyclocross events which would certainly maximise use during winter months.
The business plan includes a requirement, if funds permit, for a comprehensive website development to enable organisers and riders to enter and pay for sessions and events in advance.
BCC were keen to advise that no development is possible without volunteers being willing and available to offer their time and expertise in all areas essential to ensure the day to day operation of the facility. This of course includes those who can support the administration and control of regular events, but also professional support in all commercial areas essential to maintain and grow any progressive business.
Of course nothing at all is possible without promoters, organisations and clubs booking sessions so BCC can get riders on the track and make use of their fantastic facility.
The Centre is one of the few facilities dedicated to cycling in the country and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is BCCs aim to retain that position.
The summary slide of their presentation covered the four key areas.
Track Bookings and enquiries – Roger Papp
Coaching – David Gilham
Track League – Alan McRae
Development Plan roll out – Andrew Mayfield
Should you be able to assist with any of these areas, please contact info@bournemouth.cc
For updates to the above events and other general information, please refer to the BCC website http://www.bournemouth.cc/
(link on right)
Luke Gray (Baboco) returned to his Belgium base after last week’s national championships for a world cup race at Lievin in France. The former national under 23 champion has been working with his new Danish coach and is starting to find some consistency.
Gray was the only U23 GB team rider in a select group of 6 GB riders, with Junior Hugo Robinson also in GB kit. The others where, Gabby Day who stays at the same place as Luke in Oudenaarde, Helen Wyman and Nicky Harris along with Elite Ian Field who also live in the same town. There was no GB back up at this race but Stef Wyman was acting manager. Speaking to “E D” Gray said:
“On race day the weather was a cold 0 degrees with most of the course covered in frost. There were some very short sharp steep climbs and a huge flight of steps to run up. Apart from a couple of places where there was some very draggy slow soft grass bits, it was a very fast race.
On the first lap there was a big coming together of bodies and bikes when a couple of riders failed to ride one of the steep banks. Luckily i managed to ride passed the mayhem of riders fighting to untangle their bikes.
I didn't quite have the power and seemed to be lacking top speed but after the race felt fine. I really enjoyed the slippery course as it tested your skill, with the last few downhill twisty bends being my favourite section.”
Danish U23 Champion Kenneth Hanson, who joined the Baboco team this year, crashed out of the race just in front of Luke. He is also the Danish elite Champ and with no GB pit crew, it was his father who was taking care of Grays pits throughout the race.
Photo's by kind permission of Rob Gray
This weekend is the last round of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup series in Hoogerheide, Holland. Luke will once again be riding for the GB team with a full GB support crew and staff on hand to man the pits.
This Sunday see’s the final round of the Wessex League Cyclo-Cross competion. Held at Thruxton motor circuit, entry is on the line, under 12s start at 10:00 with Senior’s at 12:45
Over 80 riders signed on for the third of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 4 winter reliability trials.The 75 mile route took in some of the biggest hills in Dorset. The 100 mile event on February 12th concludes the series and those who have completed all four rides will receive a specially minted medal.
