September 27, 2010 (London, ON) – The 2010-11 track season kicked of on Saturday night at the Forest City Velodrome in London Ontario. The evening featured a good mix of events for all ability levels. The sprinters took to the track for Sprint Qualifying “Shoot – Out” style. The seeded riders started last in the 4 segment affair. Early in Qualifying (only 6 make it through to the tournament) young 14 year old London racer Eric MacDonald set he quickest time at 8.926 (55.658 kph), this was the time to beat going into final group with all the seeded riders. In the final group Kris Ovsenek was first to lay down a scintillating time of 8.128 (61.122 kph) Daniel McKenzie-Picot was right behind in second at 8.238 (60.306 kph). MacDonald would end up 8th in the qualification.

With 6 riders in the sprint tournament the organizers wanted to demonstrate to the over 200 spectators what sprinting was all about. The riders were held in position and picked their start position. The tournament went along with riders eliminated after each round. In the end the 2 Cadets who have demonstrated that they are the quickest riders at the FCV in 2010 faced off in the final. In the 5 lap final the 2 riders jockeyed for position, The crowd was silent waiting for one of riders to make a move, with 3 to go McKenzie-Picot attacked over the top to take control. The crowd erupted as Ovsenek tried to come back on the last lap…. a little to late as Daniel McKenzie-Picot took the opening night sprint honours.

In the women’s events it was 2 juniors Erin Dowswell (London) & Sarah Rasmussen (Hamilton), who dominated the points and scratch races. It will be interesting to watch both these young women battle throughout the winter.

The youth racers were the star attraction on Opening Night as Logan McIntyre (Teeterville Ontario) won both races he entered on the night. Complete race results are above.

Racing continues Saturday October 2 at the FCV. First heat race starts at 7pm. Go to www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca for all the latest news for Ontario’s fastest 138m Velodrome.

See you at the Races!

Results here