On Saturday 28th March, 3 Slipstreamers took part in the Lee Valley VeloPark “Anniversary Meeting”. Enjoy the following report by Slipstreamer Dad Nick O’Brien, who was track-side supporting our young Slipstreamers!
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Well done Joe, Jed & Pascal!
“Three riders represented the Slipstreamers at the prestigious Olympic Velodrome “Anniversary Meeting” last Saturday night. Pascal Giret, Joe O’Brien and Jed Smithson rode the Team Sprint event and managed to hold their own against much older and more experienced Youth teams.
The event was open to all age categories so on paper the intrepid HSS team was going to struggle against some very strong Cat A, B and C opposition. Despite having never ridden the Olympic track before, indeed all 3 riders were new to the event (a 30 min training session in a car park was their best preparation!) – they managed to punch well above their weight, literally. Our team of 9 year olds beating a seasoned Colchester Rovers squad of U12/14 year olds in the qualifier.
A and B cat teams from VC Londres and Lee Valley topped the timesheet but the HSS lads got plenty of applause from the large crowd and a special mention from the commentator for their efforts. They also got a chance to ride the Keirin events with them all holding their own again despite the huge difference in gearing to the older youth riders, which was especially visible as the Derny towed them up to speeds of over 28mph. Our “HSS Hamsters” managed to spin their way into a 2nd Jed, 4th Joe and 5th Pascal.
A great night was had by all and the lads even got to warm up with and have some friendly PRO advice from world track medallist Tony Gibb – an inspiring event for all three and a great example of the Olympic legacy. Click here and here to view the riders in action.”
Well done boys!