Steven Hall thanking the crowds in India at the Pre Commonwealth Games competition July 2010.
Cycling WA members ride in Delhi for the Cycling Commonwealth Test Event
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Delhi 2010
The team were given their first look at the track on Wednesday afternoon, and found it to be a well laid, fast track, although a very bright one and glasses were needed often. Thursday Chris Pratley and I arrived at the track at 9.30am for a ½ day of meetings with the Tech Officials, Commissaires etc. and the team followed in the afternoon for more training. Friday saw the beginning of the events commencing at 2.30pm with the Women’s 10km Scratch race in which Bec Halliday placed 2nd and Lisa Wood giving an outstanding lead-out. IP qualifications followed (Steve Hall placing second highest) next were Men’s and Women’s TT’s. Steve successfully rode off for the Gold in the IP, and placed 4th in the TT, while Bec came away with the Silver for the TT. All of the other riders put in strong efforts to place well in their respective fields. Interestingly both Josh Clark and Ben Wibberley posted the same times for their TT’s as they post at home, suggesting the track is similar to our own home track. Due to his Gold Medal performance Steve Hall was required to undertake a Urine and Blood Drug test which I attended. As this is a Test event some lee-way was afforded to the officials, but much more refinement of practices would be required before I was fully satisfied with their efforts. Saturday was a busy day with Kieran’s and Sprint qualifications. Australian riders progressed through every Kieran event with a final of Jack Ward, Steve Hall and Ben Wibberley riding against a strong Malaysian contingent. Steve Hall claimed the Silver with Jack Ward coming 4th and Ben 5th in a hotly contested race. Unfortunately our female riders did not get through to the finals of the sprints; however they are to be commended on their efforts, especially Lisa Wood who had previously never ridden in a Match race. Round 1 of the Men’s Sprints saw Ben Wibberley, Jack Ward and Joshua Clark progress through to the next round and Steve Hall coming through the Repecharge to complete the day. Sunday was a hard day on the sprinters with barely enough time to recover between Match Sprints. Steve Jack Josh and Ben all put in with Ben finally qualifying through to the Bronze ride-off. A true display of Aussie sportsmanship was demonstrated by Steve, Jack and Josh as they rode the 5-8 sprint. After giving the crowd a wonderful display of cat and mouse racing they fanned out across the line for an all-in finish. The crowd went berserk! They loved it. Another very proud moment. After 4 fiercely fought Match Sprints (and a clash 15m from the finish line resulting in the Indian rider being DQ’d) Ben took the ride off to a thrilling third round which he narrowly lost. All the sprinters should be commended at their ability to back-up race after race! A short 15 minute break and then straight into the 20km Scratch. With 7 out of 24 riders Australia always felt sure we had a great opportunity to capitalize on our numbers, however the race fragmented early into three trains (with no Australians in the first bunch) making it an extremely difficult ride. Strong committed rides by Jarrad Burrell and Craig Symons, and outstanding efforts by Jordan Van der Togt and Steve Hall, ended up producing the ride of the event. Steve Hall became a local hero with his Gold medal ride. Another drug test for Steve and the event was complete. Australia finished the Commonwealth Games Test Event Delhi 2010 with; 2 Gold, 3 Silver, Male Rider of the Event (Steve Hall) and Team of the Event. Track Cycling Western Australia can be very proud of the riders they selected to attend this event. They conducted themselves with pride, rode honorably and to the best of their ability, and were outstanding ambassadors for your club, and this country. Yours Sincerely, Linda Wibberley |