Racing the Boards at the World Masters Track Championships

Earlier in October a number of Scottish masters track cyclists headed south to Manchester to compete in the UCI World Masters Track Championships. Masters racing is for those athletes over the age of 35, and is raced within age brackets. Cyclists complete for their country rather than their club.

Racing took place at Manchester Velodrome and had over 450 cyclists from more than 35 different countries taking part, in a range of track events, from individually timed efforts to bunch racing and team events. Jude Paterson won a silver medal as part of a combined British team, alongside fellow Scot Liz Wisdish who joined with Rachel Crew, Sarah Lewthwaite and Hazel Wilkinson (who train between Manchester and Derby velodromes). As “Northern Connections” they rode a great Team Pursuit final in the 45-54 age category, over a distance of 4Km in 5 minutes 15 seconds – an average of 45.630 km/h. They were narrowly beaten by another Scottish based team (Braveheart Astars) who put in a time of 5 minutes 8 seconds. Jude stepped in as a reserve rider with a last minute call up for the final. If you enjoy watching track cycling you can watch the Team Pursuit final via YouTube.

In addition to the Team Pursuit Jude took part in a wide range of track events, both timed and bunch races.

Her other notable success was a bronze in the Points race, building on her success in the same event early in the year (where she took the gold at the British Masters in her age category). The points race is a bunch race, with sprint laps every 10 laps where riders can gain points towards their overall position in the race. Jude was the only Brit on the podium for the points race, with Gold going to Penny Pawson from New Zealand and Silver to Christine D’Ercole from the USA.

Pics courtesy of VeloUK https://www.velouk.net/

If you enjoy track cycling then why not watch some of the action on the World Masters Championship YouTube live feed