Herne Hill Crit League

By Sam C

Herne Hill was a circuit I first raced last year, in my first year of racing. It immediately stood out to me as an amazing venue, with deep ties in the history of British cycling. Although, this was not Track racing as is the usual standard at this venue – It was crit racing: A circuit which uses a lot of the velodrome lap but then suddenly cuts into the in-field with some very demanding and technical corners – it’s not for the faint hearted, and once up to full race pace you are amazed at the speed in which you end up taking some of these corners.

The field strings out quickly, and if you don’t get as far forward as quick as possible – you are left with a big task of trying to slice through the long line of riders either on the long exposed straight sections – or if you dare, through the sharp techy corners.

The Crit league consisted of 4 races in the with categories for the Juniors, Ladies and the Open 3/4. Waldy were very well represented in each race, with at least 4 riders each week – we

certainly painted the track pink. The races were fierce and over the weeks, with some very strong results from an In-form Harry , and myself – Hungry for some results knowing that I had

imminent arrival of my second daughter bringing a pause to my race season.

Harry and myself ensured there was pink on the podium each week, and on two occasions sharing the podium and flirting with the race win on a few occasions – although never quite getting it across the line. Something we will have to work on possibly.

It ended up being a battle between two Waldys for the Crit league trophy, with Harry going into the final round a solitary point ahead, and the nearest competitor a further chunk back and not being present for the final instalment. The race was possibly one of our best of the league, We took control of the race from the first corner, and went blow for blow – putting in shifts and controlling the pace of the bunch. We managed to get a group of 10 riders clear form the field, which lap by lap reduced until there was only a handful remaining.

Harry rolled the dice with 2 laps to go and blasted off clear from the group, chased down by the eventual race winner from Raptor, with myself hot on his wheel. It became apparent that we were going to catch Harry on the Final stretch and it became a sprint for the line which ended up with he Raptor win and a photo finish between myself and Harry who I just managed to roll on the line - a move that would end up Winning the series for myself as we drew on points. The organisers decided that in the case of a Tie, the rider who finished higher on the final race would be crowned.

It was a brilliant 4 weeks and I thoroughly recommend anyone wishing to try out racing – to give this track a go. Being on a Friday eve - The atmosphere is always buzzing with pizza, beer and racing!