Geoff Cooke: A Brief Word!

Olympic and Commonwealth Games rider, Geoff Cooke was the principle guest at the recent opening of the new Bournemouth Velodrome.
Still catching his breath from the exhibition match sprint, I grabbed a quick chat with the former national cycling coach.

Geoff spoke with passion about the new track, saying it was “as good an outdoor track as I have ever ridden” you are not just saying that I ask with too much scepticism, “No I am really not just saying that it’s absolutely fantastic, in America you know, for the Olympics in 1984

They had a track in Los Angeles for the games but they also had a track in Colorado Springs and everybody could ride it, it was still superbly fast but everybody could ride it you see and that’s what you have got here”
Geoff Cooke rode for Great Britain in the Olympic games in 1972 and won Commonwealth gold in the tandem sprint in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974. He has also won 40 National Championships, 8 European Championships and 22 World Championships as a master. He was the National coach for 10 years “but it was all part time, you made a bit of money out of it but I had to stop and go back to a proper job because I had a family and everything” He worked as head of leisure for a borough council and also worked with various teams. “”I got a phone call from Dave Brailsford himself and he said I want to make you an offer you cannot refuse, come and look after the kids. I did that till my retirement age, I went on to work with Welsh Cycling but they just wanted bums on seats and I did not want to do that, I wanted performance”

Ellie Coster

Cooke has been coaching and working with 15 year old Ellie Coster. She is a talented rider who, he thinks, is destined for great things. Coster had just beaten her coach and mentor in the match sprint, ok it may have been choreographed a little but she still looked more than capable. “Did you let her win? I ask cheekily: “Sorry” he exclaims “Oh you don’t let em win” he laughs. “I have been training with her ahead of the Nationals ( The National Masters this weekend in Newport) “She was putting 3 lengths into me, well I don’t hang around you know! I’m still feeling pretty good I do around 12 seconds for 200 metres”

I ask Geoff what he thinks will make the track a local success; "Its just getting the youngsters, the kids from Bournemouth. Once it becomes the place to be, once you get some of the big hitters coming down and wanting to do it and you start getting kids fit, thats what its about, its about the kids!" Do you think it is imperative that the local clubs are involved? "Yes,Yes, they dont get all critical of it, come down here and have fun, come down and just ride the bloody thing and have fun. You will get a community atmosphere and it will self- police itself, it really will!"

It was easy to talk to Geoff and his enthusiasm was clearly on show, indeed Geoff put on an impromptu coaching session the following day, putting Ellie, Para-Cycling world champion, Darren Kenny and the local track boys through their paces to the delight of the small crowd of local onlookers. Geoff will be riding the National Masters Championships this weekend at Newport Velodrome.

All in a Good Cause

Stuart Grace (GA CYCLES)) has asked me to help promote his fund raising efforts and i am happy to do so
Stuart can be contacted at stuart_singlespeed@hotmail.co.uk
The photos are of Jens Voigt at the T.D.F in last years race and the others are of Fabian Cancellara in the last two tours and some of him in Paris/Roubaix.
The money will go to the Piam Brown Ward which is the Regional Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Centre for the Wessex region, looking after children from new born to 16 years. There are approximatly 90 new cases each year!
Also I have a number of jerseys signed by.
1 Ivan Basso
2 Thor Hushovd
3 Chris Boardman
4 Graeme Obree/ Darren Kenny have signed a Shorter/Rochford(both Hour Record holders)

The price of the signed A4 photos £30, jerseys people can put in a bid to me by e-mail I will let it run for a few weeks.
Also there are photos on there way back from Jens of Andy Schleck, which people are willing to ask about.
There is attached also A3 mounted and signed photos from Ben Ainslie but not sure if the people you work with are into sailing.
My work also is with runner Iwan Thomas, ex footballer Matt-le-Tissier and some golfers ie Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.


Hope this is not too involved for you but please understand that without help from people like you my work for the ward is not possible.

Track Training Programme

The Bournemouth Cycling Centre is pleased to announce a major programme of bookings which commence on 1st July.

FOR RIDERS WITH EXISTING TRACK EXPERIENCE SEEKING COMPETITION

TUESDAY 6.30 pm till 8.30pm Competition Training running for 8 weeks and suitable for riders over 13 years with existing track skills. A programme of coach led racing, under the direction of Ric Jameson British Cycling South Talent Development Coach, will provide all the skills and competence to take part in the planned 2012 Track League and other Open Events plus the opportunity for Fast Track Accreditation. Each session starts at 06.30 sharp and costs £5 per session. Please arrive in sufficient time if you require bike hire at £7 per bike.

FOR RIDERS WHO WISH TO COMPLETE THE BCC RIDER ACCREDITATION PROCESS

WEDNESDAY 6.30 pm till 8.30 pm Standard Accreditation is required for less experienced riders who wish to complete the Tuesday Competition Training sessions above and also General Training Sessions. Accreditation Training is led by BCC Coach Barry Watkinson and will take riders through the prescribed skills and awareness training. Each session starts at 06.30 sharp and costs £5 per session. Please arrive in sufficient time if you require bike hire at £7 per bike.


FOR BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED TRACK RIDERS SEEKING FITNESS TRAINING


SATURDAY 09.00 am till 11.00am General Training running for 16 weeks and suitable for all riders over 13 years. A programme of structured coaching, including Rider Induction and Accreditation under the direction of Dr Chester Hill recently of British Cycling Coaching and Development, will provide all the skills and competence to take part in General Training. Each session starts at 09.00am and costs £8 per rider. Please arrive in sufficient time if you require bike hire at £7 per bike.

Bournemouth Track from the Air

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers Lumpy 32 & Glastonbury Festival

Dave Dent (Wightlink/Offshore RT) got the better of midlands visitor, Jamie Scott (Colbert Racing Team) by 23 seconds and set a benchmark time for this new course. The two lap, rolling circuit will be used for the final round of the National Rudy Project Series in October with Poole Wheelers the promoting club.

Dent was down on Scott at the Prime after some 7 miles but came back strong to record a time of 1.10.17 to Scotts 1.10.40. Paul Matthews (UTAG-YAMAHA) with 1.11.06 claimed third spot.

The offer of free entry into Glastonbury Festival (Don't Ask) was not to be turned down. So a quick dash over the border into Somerset for a little bit of mud, sunshine & Beyonce saw me leave the HQ in a hurry.

Bournemouth Track Official Opening Ceremony

The Mayor of Bournemouth, councilor Chris Rochester officially opened the new track, with the ringing endorsement of former Olympic and Commonwealth rider, Geoff Cooke. The new 250 metre track is an excellent facility that will not fail to impress the first time visitor. The smooth, sweeping, black tarmac, set against the surrounding parkland will surely inspire anyone to ride.
The opening speeches by the mayor and British Cycling’s Facilities Officer Dave Cockran and Board Director, Vic Hopkins, were to the point and with due protocol observed it was on with the action. Bournemouth Cycling Centre, led by Alan Mcrae, had organised a full programme of exhibition races and demonstrations.

A match sprint, between the former national coach, Cooke, and promising young star, 15 year old Ellie Coster had the crowd mesmerized. Judge, Graham Hurst even had to time the track stand.

Track Stand

No quarter was given by either rider and with a healthy lack of respect, Ellie came round the ex- Olympian to take the applause. Cooke coaches Ellie and believes she is a real prospect for the future and did not hesitate to tell everyone to look out for her in Rio in 2016.

Before he had caught his breath Geoff spoke to the crowd with infectious enthusiasm. “I have ridden tracks all over the world and this is as good an outdoor track as I have ever ridden. It really is a superb facility, its absolutely fantastic and a real adrenalin surge. It’s so easy to ride; it’s not so steep that kids will be put off. It’s superbly fast but everybody can ride it. Cooke went on to urge the local community to use the track: “Come down and have fun, come down and just ride it and have fun, it does not matter about winning and losing, just enjoy it”

Also on show were Go Ride demonstrations with the younger ones showing off their skills, a 3KM pursuit challenge, with hot local prospect, Will Stephenson (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) almost catching four of his club mates, including his father. An elimination race, a 5KM Scratch race and training demonstrations were followed by a public taster session. Kids on tag-alongs were being passed by disk-wheeled wannabes! It was great fun!!

Bournemouth Cycling Centre will be organising weekly drop-in sessions for experienced riders over 14 on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm. This competition training will be part of the induction process that will lead to coach led racing in all conditions. Saturday mornings will include training for newcomers, general fitness and developing track skills.
British Cycling South Regional Officer, Mason Thomas will regularly attend the various sessions at the track. Mason will be seeking to talk to riders,spectators,friends and family etc, to generate interest in organising,volunteers and officials. Mason can be contacted at
masonthomas@britishcycling.org.uk, Tel 01612742035

Local Cycling News 24/06/11

It was Groundhog Day at the Moreton Village Evening series, as Jason Eastwood (Hargroves Cycles) strolled to his fourth win in five races. A bright sunny evening greeted the fifty- plus field and despite the recent rain; the roads were dry for this 33 mile handicap.

The riders ahead of the scratch group don't lack the will, perhaps just the fitness, to avoid being swallowed up by that fast moving train, and with more than two laps to go the race was all together.

Stuart Bowers, fresh from his win in the Heath Road Race on Tuesday was full of riding and delivered his team mate to the line perfectly. Bowers held on for second with Steve Groome (Bournemouth Jubilee), finishing strongly in third.

23/06/11 RACE 7
1, JASON EASTWOOD (HARGROVES CYCLES)
2, STUART BOWERS (HARGROVES CYCLES)
3, STEVE GROOME (BJW)
4, SIMON PETTIFER (UNNAT)
5, JOHN HAYES (RIDEBIKE.CO.UK)
6 ANTHONY BIRKBECK (UNNAT)
7, ANDY BOYD (REVE RACING)
8, ROBERT KOPPENHOL, (DRR)
9, SIMON WILLATS (RIDEBIKE.CO.UK)
10, ROLAND TILLEY (RIDEBIKE.CO.UK)

• Clinton Castellar (I-team CC) out sprinted Shaftsbury’s Paul Hopkins (Merida) to win the CC Weymouth Road Race on the Gallows Hill/Monkey World circuit.

A sprint finish always looked likely in this 45 mile race and Portsmouth based Castellar proved the strongest. A touch of wheels, 2 miles from the finish brought down six riders, fortunately all remounted with no serious injury. Scot Oatridge (cc Basingstoke) grabbed third,

• Chris Ball (Biobike RT) came out on top in the Poole Wheelers 10 mile Time Trial. Held on the ski slope course, Ball’s time of 20.14 was 44secs quicker than Benjamin Pearce (Andover Wheelers). Bryce Dyer (VC ST Raphael) claimed third with 21.15. Dyer was putting the finishing touches to his preparation for the National Masters track Championships in Newport next weekend. Dyer had finished 3rd the day before in the Omega stage race at the Mountbatten Track, Portsmouth. Winning the 3 lap time trial (1 mile) in 2.05.18, before a 10th place finish in the following circuit race. Carl Silver (BJW) finished 4th on GC

• The New Forest’s multi- national Champion, Julia Shaw (drag2zero) won her seventh National 50 title at Bentley, Hampshire. Shaw’s impressive time of 1.51.42 in the windy conditions was more than seven minutes clear of her nearest challenger. Bournemouth Jubilee pair Lawrence Down & Phil Harvey recorded times of 2.07.23 &2.18.20 respectively.

• This Saturday sees the official opening ceremony of the new Olympic sized cycle track at Slades Farm. Entrance is free for the event, which will include Cycle track Demonstrations, taster sessions, free bike health checks and local cycle shop displays.

CLUB EVENTS
BOURNEMOUTH JUBILEE WHEELERS 10 P412 21/06 16 STARTERS
1,J CLEMAS 22.12
2,M SAVAGE 22.32
3,I HAPGOOD (PRIMERA) 22.45

NEW FOREST 25 P304 21/06
1,J HEFFERNAN 1.01.12
2,L ANDREWS (SALISBURY TRI CLUB)1.01.21
3,S ROBERTS 1.05.47

CC WEYMOUTH 10 P451 21/06 14 STARTERS
1,B RIGLAR 23.49
2,J CHAPMAN 24.16
3,G PARKER 24.30


POOLE WHEELERS 10 P459 22/06 16 STARTERS
1,G DIGHTON 22.34
2,T ICKE 22.45
3,S BIRTWISTLE 23.08

GEORGE HERBERT STANCER DISTRICT CHAMPS 10 P459 22/06 7 STARTERS
1, W STEPHENSON (BOURNEMOUTH ARROW) 22.42
2. T ROBBINS (CARDIFF JIF) 23.13
3,R BUNN (GUERNSEY VC) 23.52

BOURNEMOUTH ARROW 10 P311 23/06 15 STARTERS
1,S WHITEWICK (UTAG-YAMAHA) 20.38 (COURSE RECORD)
2,D PICKERING (BJW) 22.24
3,G ALLAN (G A CYCLES) 22.41

Local Clubs, odd one out?

Bournemouth Track Opening Ceremony

"BEFORE"

"AFTER"

• This Saturday (25TH) sees the official opening ceremony of the new Olympic sized cycle track at Slades Farm. The 250 meter track, part funded by British Cycling, Bournemouth Borough Council & Sport England is the first outdoor, tarmac track to be built in the U K since 1962. Alan Mcrae has been the driving force behind the new track for many years and is backed up by a very enthusiastic team who will form the new Bournemouth Cycling Centre. Feedback about the track from riders at the dress rehearsal for Saturday’s opening is very positive. The Mayor of Bournemouth, councilor Chris Rochester will formally open the centre, entrance is free for the event, which will include Cycle track Demonstrations, taster sessions, free bike health checks and local cycle shop displays. Events on show will be “Kids Go Ride”, Men’s 500m TT, Women’s team sprint, 3km pursuit challenge and a 5km scratch race “Our aim is to show track sport at its best to local people for the first time in 60 years” said Mcrae. The opening celebration will run from 11am-2pm and will also include “Rollapaluza,” 500m static bike racing, bouncy castle and children’s entertainers. Competition training will take place on Tuesday evenings and details are available on the Bournemouth Cycling Centre website. www.bournemouth.cc

Portland Port & Lloyd Coward Memorial Road Race

Clinton Casteller (I-TEAM CC) outsprinted National Vets mountain bike champion, Paul Hopkins (Merida) to win this CC Weymouth promoted event on the Gallows Hill/Monkey World circuit. The flat course offered little to those adventurous enough to try to escape the bunch.

A sprint always looked likely in this 3rd category, 45 mile race, with the gradual drag up to the line the only real place to string out the peloton.

With a couple of miles left the bunch slowed in readiness for the sprint and a touch of wheels brought down 6 or so riders. Fortunately all remounted with no serious damage, Casteller managed to stay out of trouble to take his first win on the road. Seventeen year old Jake Wilde (Salisbury Tri Club)prefers cycling to swimming and running and rode well to win the junior award.

I caught up with the happy winner at the HQ, "Its my first win and i am very happy. We came here as a team of 5 so we definately had ambitions of doing something. We came with the plan that if there was going to be someone up the road we would send one or two of the other guys and we would keep myself back for the sprint. I ask where the plan was hatched,"in the car park"? Yes! we talked about it in the week and formalised things in the morning. The crash happened two wheels from me so i was lucky to get round it"

1,CLINTON CASTELLAR (I-TEAM CC)
2,PAUL HOPKINS (MERIDA)
3,SCOTT OATRIDGE (CC BASINGSTOKE)
4,ROSS CLAYDON (ARMY CYCLING UNION)
5,HOWARD RADCLIFFE (I-TEAM CC)
6,MATT TIBBUT (WIGHTLINK CRT)
7,PETER PHILLIPS (BATH CC)
8,MIKE SMITH (GILLINGHAM WH)
9,DAVID DUFFY (I-TEAM CC)
10,ROB LEE (KINESIS-MOREVIEW PROJECT)