November 11, 2007 (London, ON) – There are less than seven days and counting until the first official test of fitness for the current crop of Ontario racers at the Forest City Velodrome. Friday night’s event featured new racers who tested their legs in preparation for next week’s Devo Weekend which will feature three days of National-style races.

The new women’s program at the FCV is beginning to show some positive results with two new women Amy Biskaborn (London) and Krista Ruby (Caledon) mixing it up with the McKenzie-Picot twins in the Chariot and Scratch Races. Biskaborn, who just started riding and training on the Velodrome two weeks ago, has been a fast learner as her quick acceleration and power resulted in two wins in the featured races for the women. Krista Ruby who has her sights on 2008, finished 2nd to Biskaborn in the Chariot and scratch races. Not to be undone, Emily McKenzie-Picot had her best night of racing with top-3 finishes in every event.

In the Cadet racing on the night, there were three new young racers taking the 14-year-old veteran Kyle Rupay, although Rupay (Peterborough) was under pressure by the attacking of John Carden (Paris), Jason King (Burlington) and Daniel McKenzie-Picot (London), Rupay was able to outsprint the new comers at the finish in all the events except the Chariot race where he had to settle for second behind Master “B” Julian Shea of Waterloo. Rupay also set quick time in the Flying lap competition that kicked off the night of racing.

In the Elite field on the night 16-year-old Ryan Aicheson from Kitchener started the evening off with an attack with 10 to go in the initial 25-lap scratch race and held off Vince DeJong (Brantford) by a tire at the finish.

A new event in the program was the Black Jack Points race. The first racer to accumulate 21points with out going over (busting) wins the race. Going into the 2nd to last sprint Aitcheson and DeJong were within four points of the win, DeJong won the five points which put him at 22 points and out of the race — a tough way to get knocked out. That left Aitcheson with only having to finish 4th in the final sprint to win, he did and pocketed his 2nd win on the night.

Dejong did get his revenge in the Bavarian Win and Out, when he had a last lap duel with Ryan Crawford (London) and Mike Renneboog (Brantford) for the win. DeJong attacked with four to go catching Aitcheson at the back, although the 16-year-old tried to come over top, but, the power was gone and DeJong got a well deserved win, with Crawford 2nd, John Carden finished up 3rd.

Racing continues Friday night as the Devo Weekend gets underway. 60 riders are expected to compete in five divisions. Omnium points are on the line for the Sprint, 500mTT, 3km TT, points race and scratch race.

Come out and see Ontario’s top prospects, beginning Friday night at 7pm. Check our website for updated schedules visit www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca.

Results

Scratch Race – Senior – 25 laps
1. Ryan Aitcheson
2. Vince DeJong
3. Lorne Falkenstein
4. Mike Renneboog
5. Ryan Crawford

Scratch Race – Junior/Cadet/Master – 30 laps
1. Kyle Rupay
2. John Carden
3. Jason King
4. Julian Shea
5. Brian Kelly
6. Daniel McKenzie-Picot

Scratch Race – Women – 15 laps
1. Amy Biskaborn
2. Krista Ruby
3. Emily McKenzie-Picot

Chariot Race Final – Seniors
1. Ryan Aitcheson
2. Mike Renneboog
3. Ryan Crawford

Chariot Race Final – Cadets/Masters A
1. Julian Shea
2. Kyle Rupay
3. Jason King

Chariot Race Final – Cadets/Masters B
1. John Carden
2. Brian Kelly
3. Daniel McKenzie-Picot

Chariot Race Final – Ladies
1. Amy Biskaborn
2. Krista Ruby
3. Emily McKenzie-Picot

Bavarian & Lose Race
1. Vince DeJong
2. Ryan Crawford
3. John Carden
4. Mike Renneboog
5. Kyle Rupay
6. Ryan Aitcheson
7. Lorne Falkenstein
8. Jason King
9. Daniel McKenzie-Picot

Blackjack Race
1. Ryan Aitcheson
2. Mike Renneboog
3. Ryan Crawford
4. Lorne Falkenstein
5. Vince DeJong
6. Julian Shea
7. Brian Kelly

Flying Race
1. Kyle Rupay 9.8
2. Jason King 9.82
3. Daniel McKenzie-Picot 10.09
4. Brian Kelly 10.14
5. Sarah McKenzie-Picot 10.35
6. Amy Biskaborn 10.54
7. John Carden 10.55
8. Emily McKenzie-Picot 10.6
9. Krista Ruby 10.65