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Thunderdrome

May 9, 2012
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Having come into possession of a couple of good tickets for the Braveheart fund Thunderdrome event, I wandered down with the youngest for a grand day out in Glasgow and a chance to see the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome.

The facility is excellent. Big, spacious yet intimate. A few grumbles from the TV cameras that there was no thought given to fixed cabling and camera positions so there was a lot of trailing cable. I'm sure they'll sort that by the Commonwealth games.

Getting there was interesting as street signs aren't yet up and we were trying to find our way through from Glasgow Queen Street by bike - the bike parking there is pretty good - 200 covered spaces (sheffield stands) outside and well used during the event.

But onto the racing. This was a fundraiser for the Braveheart fund (braveheartfund.com) and was set up with four invitational teams - England (Daniell, Emadi, Hines and one other), Scotland (Craig McLean, Pete Mitchell and Callum Skinner), Europe (Forsterman, and two others) and Braveheart (John Paul, Jason Queally, Rob Hayles and Sir Chris)

Opened with pipes and drums (of course!) and with some huge pyro flame throwers that seemed to pop off at any excuse.

A corridor of honour was formed on the track as Sir Chris then rode through to officially launch the event.

Untitled by davidmamartin, on Flickr
The racing started with a team sprint, but each team was led out by a Scottish junior supported by the Braveheart fund. You got an inkling of the script when the England team beat Scotland despite the young lad pulling a foot out of his pedal at the start.

The racing was mixed up with the Glasgow Grands Prix - a scratch race and a Derney race - and some of the Scottish Track champs finals.

Untitled by davidmamartin, on Flickr
Then the only bad point of the night - Callum Skinner crashed heavily during the 3-up Thunderdrome sprint first rounds and was stretchered off with a suspected broken collarbone. That also meant he was unable to take part in the mens sprint final, leaving John Paul to take the title with a ride through.

Robert Forsterman won the crowd


Untitled by davidmamartin, on Flickr

And so we get to the final event - the invitational Kierin with 8 riders. At this point we have England on 7 points, Europe and Scotland on 5 and Braveheart on 3. And more rigging than the Cutty Sark as Braveheart/Scotland/Europe take all the points to leave the scoreboard with Braveheart on top, Scotland second, England and then Europe..

Overall it was a great event - great entertainment anyway. Expertly compered in the centre of the track by Dougie Vipond and a colleague (Phil?) with additional commentary from Dave Harmon.

A special guest appearance by the Flying Scotsman..


Untitled by davidmamartin, on Flickr

and his new ride which was gathering a lot of interest.

Click through any of the pictures to get to a whole load more.
 

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