Report by Geoff Brandt:
“Preparation – In a nutshell, I rode 2x each week on the track for about 6 weeks and rested for a whole week before the championships, kept my weight down, & did an easy recovery ride with the youngsters each week.
Day 0 – Travelled down on a warm afternoon, checked in to the New Inn near Newport , an early meal & in bed by 9am.
Day 1 – Breakfast before a day of match sprinting, I meant to eat a light one but got tempted by the hot stuff, not a good idea. Got fastest in the qualifier so a good omen, won my 1st round and semi comfortably, both from the back. Into the final against Robbie Duncan, an enduro from Manchester Wheelers, but a man in good form. I draw front position, lead it out, jump with about 400m to go, wind it up and stay in front. Bingo! A first ever BC national title after trying for over 10 years, perseverance gets there in the end J Dinner with 3 of the lads that night, I eat too much, too late, & sleep very badly.
Day 2 – My bad night leaves me feeling a bit washed out in the morning session, but managed 3rd in the 500m time trial behind Mike Allen & Robbie Duncan. During the day I drink protein recovery drink & lightly salted water and a caffeine gel that perked me up no end for the scratch race. I ride the same 51 x 15 as I use at Huyton, result, a good silver medal behind Mike Allen again, but ahead of everyone in the younger age group that we were riding with, except for Steve Davies who caught me on the line. Dinner with the Manchester veterans crowd, good craik.
Day 3 – Off to Abergavenny with Derek Smith to see Laura Trott win the Elite women’s road race, followed by the start of the men’sElite race, then home for an early bath, missing the Points race scheduled for about 7pm that evening.
Day 4 – Bebington Oval, back to reality, timing the Stars of the Future around a grass track, almost as good as winning a national jersey.”
Full results can be found here.