Racing round-up

On the evening of Wednesday 10th August the Sussex Cycle Racing League held Week 17 and what should have been the penultimate round of their Track League at Preston Park outdoor velodrome in Brighton.

In the opening 6-lap “Scratch” Race Lewes Wanderers Peter Baker and Gina Boakes crossed the line in 6th and 7th respectively in the field of eight.  In the following “Tempo” Race, also over half-a-dozen laps, Peter was 5th from nine and Gina 7th.  They each saved their best until last as in the final 8-lap Points Race Peter was just one spot away from the podium with Gina a single place behind.

The proposed 18th and final round was cancelled due to torrential rain rendering the track dangerous so the overall season standings were already decided after Week 17.  Peter was a fine 5th from 11 weeks of racing and Gina a highly-encouraging 11th from 27 qualifiers after only eight participations.

Peter Baker by Emma Gearing

Peter was back in action the following evening as Eastbourne Rovers CC hosted a time-trial on their hilly 7.2-mile Birling Gap course which includes an intermediate “hill prime” from the Birling Gap start to the top of Beachy Head.  He placed 8th overall with a time of 23 minutes and 36 seconds and 7th in the “hill prime” with 9:17.2.  Adrian Hills was 14th in 33:39 and 14th again with 14:41.6.