March 29, 2010 (London, ON) – The first event of the Thunder Pro Cycling Series kicked off this past Saturday evening at the Forest City Velodrome in London Ontario. The FCV was a buzz when 26 riders contested the first night of racing for the Thunder Pro Cycling Series. The top 18 riders qualified for the five rounds of racing using a Formula One style qualifying format. The quick times came fast and furious in the opening rounds of qualifying, however in the end two Cadet (U17) speedsters from the London area dominated the timing and scoring. Kristofer Ovsenek (Invita-FCV) set quick time of 8.281 seconds (59.993 kph) with Daniel McKenzie-Picot (coachchris.ca) stopping the clock in 8.494 seconds.

Once the qualifications were complete, the riders began eliminations over the next three rounds of racing, until the first semi-final of the Thunder pro Cycling Series set the field for the Small Final & Big Final (the main event of the night). In the first semi, Ovsenek and Mike Nuttal (Cycles London) advanced to the Big Final. With a stunning burst of speed at the start the young Ovsenek attacked from the gun and held off Nuttal to earn the top seed. In the second Semi Justin “Full Throttle” Zottl (La Bicicletta) scortched the start along with Lorne “the Professor” Falkenstein (Cycles London) both riders advanced to the 4-up Final.

The 4 runner up riders contested the Small final and after two false starts McKenzie-Picot out-lasted three juniors from the Invita-FCV team to claim 5th in the final results, John Carden, William Simonds and Adrian George completed the top 8 riders.

The last race of the night for the Thunder pro Cycling Series opener came down to two Juniors aged racers duelling with two very fast masters. On the start Kris “O” gained a bike length on the first two pedal strokes, by the exit of corner tow he had a 4-bike length advantage and never looked back. “Full throttle” Zottl closed the gap a little in the final 50m however Ovsenek racing for the Invita-FCV cycling team scored a very impressive win on opening night of the Pro Cycling Series. Mike Nuttal edged “the Professor” in the battle for 3rd and fourth.

There were many other events from Miss & Outs, Madison and Endurance during the nearly 3-hour show. John Carden (Invita-FCV) a junior won the Miss & Out, Brett Hueston (LCW) won the “B” Miss & Out. A number scratch races were also on the program …. the winners included, Vince DeJong (coachchris.ca), Fred “3/4 Throttle” Zottl and John Hueston (Aylmer Express).

Racing continues at the FCV this weekend with the Mary Kelly Memorial event. Mary Kelly was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident in London in January. Over $500 in Prizes for the 100-lap women’s feature race on Saturday night.

The Thunder Pro Cycling Series will continue for the sprinters and many endurance races including a Madison for a combination of “A” & “B” racers.

Full results here.
For more information: www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca