January 27, 2012 (London, ON) – With a full pit area, the FCV had two full, 7 team Madison’s for the “B” & Elite Division. The “B” madison was a steady and well executed 10 minute plus 5 lap race with the combination of Candice Vermeulin and Rhys Bateman (Team Invita-FCV) hanging on to a lead that had stretched out to almost a full lap on the rest of the teams. However in the last 5 laps a missed exchange lead to a late surge by the 13 year old Ian Currie. (Team Attack)

The Elite Madison was a race that came down to the last 10 laps with the Junior squad of Alex Pinard (Spidertech) and Will Simmonds (Invita-FCV) counter attacked the Garneau Team of Jeff Schiller and Geoff Power. The juniors were out to a big lead at the 1/2 distance mark of the race, only to see the Garneau team claw their way back into the race and put the pressure on the juniors by upping the pace to over 55kph with a little over 2 minutes remaining. A sloppy exchange by Garneau gave the advantage back to Pinard who immediately attacked and opened a gap that Simmonds held and stretched out by 20m. With 10 laps to go, the Juniors were in command and were not to be denied…. in the end the 2 lead teams put a lap on the rest of the field. Very good racing by Pinard and Simmonds.

In the Youth races held throughout the night 3 riders emerged as the dominate force to race to the end of all 3 races for the kids. Ian Currie continued his winning ways with Scratch, Last person standing and Handicap events. Lucas Taylor, Logan Mcintrye and Farley Creswicke had very competitive rides in all three races and the skill of all the kids is improving each time they get on the boards. One of the youngest youth racers Charlotte Creswicke said after one of the races, “who needs a trainer in the winter when you can come to the FCV and race in front of a crowd… this is cool”.

New racers were on the rivet during the opening scratch race. Nick Koppelaar (Team CHCH) out lasted Wil Fissel (USA Breakaway Racing) in the opening “C” group scratch race. A little later in the program Koppelaar who was racing for the first time had a respectable Miss & Out finishing 4th, behind Scott Matthews, Rhys Bateman and Craig Sarri.

The “B” division saw very impressive performances by “the Professor” Lorne Falkenstein (Cycles London), and Wil Fissel who had moved up from the “C” group and managed a win in the Miss & Out and a second in the Scratch.

The “B” division had a good mix of Masters and Elite women taking to the rail for the races throughout the evening. Stephanie Bester, Sara Byers and Kristen Worley were in the hunt all night and just finished off the podium.

The final of the Elite Scratch race matched the finishes all night in the sprint competition. The 80 lap torture test started off with a flurry of attacks. Nothing was able to stick until just before 1/2 distance. Will Simmonds (Invita-FCV) and Chris Balistrini (Garneau) rolled off the front and with no reaction from the field immediately gained 1/2 a lap. There was a bonus of $50.00 to the rider to be the first to lap the field. Simmonds put the hurt on Balistrini and opened a 10m gap and took the lap and the $50. Just as the 2 riders were lapping the field, Jeff Schiller (Garneau), attacked hard and left everyone in his vapour trails. Schiller made quick work of the field and with in 3 laps was on even terms with the two leaders. Three riders were now going to battle it out for the win. Junior Alex Pinard (Spidertech), took the moment to accelerate and open a 40m gap on the field and with 10 laps to go the young Quebec rider was not going to give up…. that’s when the race exploded.

The 3 leaders went to the front to close the gap and try to see who would be the first to the line. With Pinard back in the group, Ballistrini was the first to put the hammer down and try to make it to the end. As he faded with 4 to go, Simmonds took control of the race and slowly picked the pace up. Schiller tried to get around the Junior with 2 to go…. couldn’t make it. The bell, a lap to go and Simmonds was still picking up the speed. Down the back stretch with 75m to go, both riders were able to get off the saddle and take one last attempt to get to the line first. Coming out of the last corner, Schiller was able to come along side Simmonds to the line and the two were still side by side. In a photo finish again, on a night where there were 7 other finishes to close to call, by a margin of .012 seconds, the Senior 1-2 rider Jeff Schiller (Garneau) just pipped Will Simmonds (Invita-FCV) to the line…. Great Race, Great Finish.

Handshakes and the crowd was going crazy, neat way to end a spectacular night of racing.
Racing continues Saturday February 4th at 7pm, The “Vitess Challenge” will be the featured race to see who will be the champion of the winner take all Vitess Challenge.

For more information about the programs at the FCV go to: www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca

Click HERE for more photos.