posted 8 March 2013 on Spokesman Online
The 2013 season begins in bang on Saturday when Ipswich stage an all-star extravanganza at Whitton Sports centre in memory of former club official, the late Dave Andrews. The Suffolk club has attracted a quality field in all three categories, men’s, women’s and juniors which should ensure every race is keen contested.
Top of the bill will be the eagerly awaited clash between World champion Lukasz Nowacki and national number one Andy Angell. Defending champion Nowacki (pictured below) has been experimenting with his equipment so it will be interesting to see if his rides his bespoke Lynskey or the more conventional Archie.
Meanwhile British champion Andy Angell had been putting on plenty of pre-season work in the gym and on the bike. With the Mt Office predicting rain throughout the day, the Whitton raceway is bound to be heavy, a test for even the best prepared legs. With a tough preliminary round to contend with and then a no-holds barred final, it really will be survival of the fittest.
It is not unknown for these early season matches to spring a surprise or two. While Nowacki and Angell are expected to set the pace, look to good performances from one or two of the younger riders like national indoor champion Ryan Hoyland and Matt Smith.
Prodigal sons Adam Peck and the Osborne brothers, Chris and Lewis will be keen to make an impression on their return to Whitton while local riders like Jamie Chittock, Leon Mower and Charlie Rumbold will be keen to make their mark ahead of Ipswich’s new Elite League season.
The corresponding women’s event has attracted an equally quality field including national one, two, three – Lauren Jacobs (pictured above), Lauren Davies and Vikki Brown. However the top trio will not have things their own way. Their strongest challenge looks like coming from UK domiciled Pole, Sandra Tamborska, Lauren Hookway who makes the long journey across country from her Exeter home, Charlie Jane Herbert and local favourite Danielle Riley.
The junior should be a superb event judging by the rider list. European junior champion Rikki Johnson (pictured above) will start as favourite, returning to the track where he achieved his greatest success, but he will be hard pressed by national under-16 champion Jake Read and Poole duo Aaron Morgan and Aaron Smith who are always there or thereabouts in these age-category individuals.
The North are well represented, spearheaded by Jack and Matt Lush. Look too for good performances from local favourites Charlie Rumbold, Ashley Hill and exciting prospect Lewis Roberts.
Tapes up 1pm for a full afternoon’s racing culminating in the men’s final under floodlights.
Entry Free to all and Food and Drinks available throughout the day.