February 9, 2008 (London, ON) – The Forest City Velodrome in London, Ontario is hosting the 2008 Winter Nationals indoor track bicycle races. Day one featured the toughest race in cycling, the kilometer time trail and point race endurance events. The FCV is a 138m indoor velodrome operated by volunteers, in the old “Ice House” in south London.

How The Events Unfolded

54 riders entered the six divisions of racing for the 2008 Winter Nationals. Riders came from as away as British Columbia, Manitoba, New Jersey, Quebec and Ontario. Many of the young riders are using this competition as a tune up to check fitness for the fast approaching race season.

In the Junior division, the FCV was introduced to three riders that flew in for the weekend from B.C. All three finished in the top six in the kilo, which was the first event of the 5-event Omnimum competition. Logan Cornell (Kingston) came out on top to lead the competition going into the endurance race which was the first endurance race of the weekend. Jacob S, riding for Devo Team, Burnaby, won the Points Race. Local 15-year-old John Carden (Paris) had an impressive ride to finish 2nd in a very tough fast 60 Lap Race.

London Junior Women were in the mix all night with Stehanie Bester, Emily Mackenzie-Picot and her sister Sarah along with Krista Ruby and Ashley Barson. They were the five young ladies that attacked one another during the 50-lap endurance race. Bester won four of five sprints to accumulate the most points and move into the lead in the Omnimum results.

The Senior women had a very exciting endurance race with the lead changing three times in the final 30 laps. Heather Logan is leading the overall points. The local London women Amy Armstrong, Lisa Perlmutter and Amy Biskaborn are very closely matched and are only separated by three points for the Omnium results. In the time trial, Joanna Wiersma (London) set fast time in the 500m event.

In the youngest division, the Cadets put on some of the best racing of the night. The eight riders are very evenly matched with Jason King (Oakville) winning the Time Trial and Alex Cataford (Ottawa) out lasting the filed to win the points race. London racer, 13-year-old Daniel Mackenzie-Picot, hung in the endurance race to finish a very respectable 3rd in the overall cadet division.

Vince De Jong (Brantford) lapped the field in the Senior Points race to earn the victory and pocket $50 prize for lapping the field. Buffalo racer Ryan Nye, had a very good night with a 2nd in the endurance race and 4th place in the kilo. 16-year-old Ryan Aitcheson (Kitchener) riding up a category, set fast time in the time trial and finished 3rd in the points race to lead the overall senior competition.

The Master division and the biggest turn around during the first two events with Lorne Falkenstein (London) and Mike Renneboog (Delhi) trading the lead all night to lead the division going into the 2nd day of competition.

Racing continues with 3km Time Trial beginning at noon on Saturday. The evening session starts at 7 up.m. with the Sprint Tournament and 100 lap endurance race.

Admission $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and as always kids are free.