October 27/07 8:40 am - London Six Day (Day 4)

Posted by Editor on 10/27/07
 

London Six Day - Day 4
Courtesy Rob Good

"Attack", "Attack". It seemed that this was the theme of racing on night 4 at the Forest City Velodrome on Friday night as the second half of the 6 Nights of competition continued. All the Elite riders were well rested and seemed to be full of gas as the racing got underway. Team Ontario with the stout pair of Danielle DeFrancheshi (Winsdor) and Vince DeJong (Brantford) led the way throughout the evening.

Two other teams - Can-Am of Garnett Abbey (Burlington) and Brian Crosby (Minnesota) and Team Quebec, Martin Rooseboom and Phillipe Raymond (Montreal) - were even with the Ontario pair on laps to start the night. This quickly changed as after the Elite Scratch race, when Ontario went over 100 points for the race and gained a lap in the first event.

All of our riders are really showing their professional bike handling skills during every exchange, safe, clean and fast. no mistakes, no riding under other riders or riding between exchanges.... it is a pleasure to watch.

As the Madisons continued, the top 3 teams extended their lead by putting Delhi (Dave Byer & Mike Renneboog) and Team London (Branden Throop and Scott Lundy) down a lap in the first chase. Speeds were kept high with the first jam lasting over 8 minutes from the opening whistle. The pace finally slowed just long enough to have a cash prime on the line for the first 3 finishers. Team Ontario scooped up the cash and seemed to accelerate at will.... that is until Team Quebec attacked for the first of many attempts to gain a lap during the evening. As they were caught, Can-Am went over the top to separate themselves from the rest. Crosby opened up a sizable gap and Abbey extended the margin. The Can-Am team was up 1/2 a lap and Quebec came charging back to get on the rear wheel of Abbey. Within seconds there was yet another prime and by now all the teams had regrouped and recovered for the $100 offer. With 3 to go Roosenboom (Quebec) found some speed and came over Abbey, with DD stacked up 3 deep (not the most advantageous position on our 138m long Velodrome). At the line Quebec earned the prime and the Crowd loved the tight close racing.

In the second 45 minute plus 10 laps session, the Elite division continued to put on a great show. Team Delhi who were suffering from the Flu, surprised the rest of the field and stole a lap back from Team Ontario. London missed the attack and had to watch as Byer went to the front to take a well desired lap.

Racing was keep high with the average speed well over 55 kph. There were very few sections of the race with no attacking and the primes kept the riders busy rubbing elbows to take home as many primes as possible. In the final sprint , Team Ontario outdistanced team Quebec in a show of legspeed and bike handling as the riders crossed the line together. The officials had Ontario, but the crowd had Quebec.... this battle will continue On Saturday night at 7pm.

Some great news came in this week, as one of our Elite riders Brian Crosby has been invited to race in Europe over the next four weeks in three different Six Day races. Congratulations Brian, we will be following you in Germany next week in the Under 25, Six Day circuit. This shows the level of competition at the FCV.

More information can be found at www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca

We look forward to seeing all you Ontario Cycling fans at the last two days of the Six Day race. Saturday Night at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 1pm. Three Teams in contention for the win, anything can happen.