World Masters Track Championships - CMMManchester, September 5-9, 2000Race Programme
Preview250 of the World's top riders converge on Manchester next week when the 6th World Masters Track Championships that will be held in the city's magnificent indoor cycle stadium (the Manchester Velodrome) from 5th to 9th September. The Championships has attracted riders from 18 countries for the official World Championships for riders over 30 years of age. Many top names are now realising the importance of these new Championships with riders of the calibre of Sean Yates, (past yellow jersey wearer in the Tour de France) and past Commonwealth Champion, Ian Hallam riding the event this year.
Defending ChampionsMen's 30 to 34 Years South Africa's Ian Hall returns to defend two crowns in this category - the pursuit (Thursday) and points (Friday) races. In these two categories the home riders are well represented with 12 and 20 competitors respectively competes for these Championships. The time trial Championships will see a new Champion as Ecuador's Mario Pons does not defend and could see a winner coming from a long list of countries on Tuesday evening including USA, Greece, South Africa, Japan, Ireland and of course a strong British entry. The sprint will see riders such as event record holder Anton Quist try and overcome some strong opposition especially from 2 Japanese riders who are reported to have done 10.9 and 11.2 last 200 metre times! The event takes place on Wednesday. Men's 35 to 39 years Two of this category current Champions will return to defend championship titles. In the Points race (Friday) Russell Williams will have strong opposition in the 22 strong field whilst on Wednesday Australia's Geoff Stoker will come up against unknown quantities in Japanese riders together with Chris Pyatt and popular local Peter Boyd in the sprint. Boyd and Pyatt again head the 28 strong field in the time trial (Tuesday) to find a new Champion. Men's 40 to 44 years Very strong UK representation and no defending Champions in this category should see an abundance of British medals and hopefully Champions. Sean Yates will hope to add the Masters Pursuit World Championship jersey to his vast collection of honours on (Wednesday). Current Time trial Champion Dave Le Grys goes up an age category, so a new Champion will be found from a strong selection of 27 riders in the time trial (Tuesday). The sprint will be fought out on Friday when record holder Mark Zaschke heads a field of 27 and on Thursday 21 riders take to the track for the points race. Men's 45 to 49 years With no Defending Champions in this age category, another 4 new title holders will come from a very strong field that includes Dave Le Grys (as previously mentioned comes up an age category (Time trail Tuesday and Sprint Friday) and possibly a chance for riders such as Steve Davies to profit in the Pursuit (Wednesday) and the points with Gary Hill, Paul Shuttleworth on (Thursday) Men's 50 to 54 years Of course Ian Hallam defends his Points (Friday) and Pursuit (Thursday) crowns and hopes to add defending Champions Stan Gregg's time trail (Tuesday) and the Sprint titles (Wednesday) to his long list of current achievements. Stan Gregg USA will compete strongly in all 4 events and other very strong opposition come from Dutch, Danish, American, Japanese, Swiss and Australian riders. Men's 55 to 59 years Popular Geoff Cooke defends his two titles in this category and also
goes for the points race (Friday). The unfortunate death late last year of 1999 Champion Hans Jorg Minder means the pursuit and points titles are vacant - the likeable Swiss rider will be missed by all the regular competitors. Men's 60 to 64 years With Germany's Otto Altweck not defending his crowns only the sprint
will see a defending Champion on Friday when Denmark's Peter Tranberg
comes up against strong opposition from riders such as Finland's Atte
Koskinen. Men's 65 years and over Britains Brian Hawkridge defends his points title in this category
on Friday and is the only defending Champion in this now very popular
category. Olympic Sprint The men's Olympic Sprint takes place on Saturday and will contain all of the main players throughout the week in this explosive event. Women's 30-34 years Only Americas Suzie Marshall defends a title in this age category when
the combined category 30 to 39 year points race takes place on Friday.
Good representation from the UK comes from riders such as Jackie White
and first time entrant to the Championships ex International rider Wendy
Everson. Women's 35 to 39 years Defending Champion Annette Hanson (USA) has strong opposition from Wendy Everson and Holland's Bea Den Baker in the sprint on Thursday. Women's 40 to 44 years Cynthia Goodman (USA) is the leader of the pack in this category and
hopes to add to her 8 gold medals in previous Championships two of which
came last year in the combined 40 plus points (Friday) and the time
trial (Wednesday) Women's 45 to 49 years Current Champion Terry Ann Roach (USA) defends the Sprint (Thursday)
and pursuit (Saturday) whilst Mossley's Glynis Francis represents British
hopes for the time trial on Wednesday) Val Rushworth defends her Time trial Championships on Wednesday Women's Olympic Sprint (not Championship event) The Women's Olympic Sprint this year becomes a challenge event within the Championships in a bid to gain full world Championship status in future years. The event takes place on Saturday Extra Events On the last day, Saturday, there will be extra non-Championship events including a distance event and possibly keirin races. Psion Best Rider of the Championship awards Psion the palmtop computer experts sponsor a new competition at the Championships when the best performances in the mens and women's categories will be recognised. Hour record attempt The day prior to the Championship start, Bruno Schumacher will attempt to set figures for the 50-54 year age group hour record. The Swiss rider will attempt this at 7pm and all are welcome to cheer him on.
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