John Saysell wins Gold at National Masters Track Championships
Sun 15 Aug 2010
National Masters Track Championships, Newport velodrome 2-4 July 2010
The big day dawns. I feel nervous before I get out of bed. Why do I do this to myself at 44 and three quarters? As far as national championships go, this year has been poor. Two fourth places. Not only a fourth place in the master’s sprint, but losing to my old nemesis Dave Baker in the semi final. It's time to panic. Better start the day with some protein drink and rice. Delicious.
They are all here there this year: Trevor Burke, who has been going well at Welwyn, Dave (gggrrr) Baker, Tim Lawson, the reigning European pursuit champion, Peter Ettles and Martin Stephens. To make matters worse the 45-49 age group is the biggest. And then the start gate. Would I be able to make a clean exit? Not if my new NR skinsuit chamois was anything to go by….
The hardest bit is the waiting. Have I eaten enough? Have I eaten too soon? Why does the starting gate need tender love and care from the officials after every few rides? I watch the starting procedure again and again. Watch the countdown and listen to the beeps. Back to the rollers.
Now it’s the age group before me the 50-54s. Time to roll round the middle on my track bike. Most of the competition goes before me. I watch some of the times but then focus on my ride. Slap, slap slap around my face to wake me up. Give my bike to the starter with the left pedal up. Slap, slap. Time to sit on, watch the clock, listen to the beeps and then go on the ‘b of the bang’ as Linford said. Out of the saddle for almost 200m. Sit down. God this is hurting. Keep as close to the datum line as possible. 500m. Legs have gone completely. Only 250 to go, just need to hang on for grim death. Hold that line. As I finish, I look up to the scoreboard. 52.3 something seconds. I would have settled for that before I started. I could not see many more going faster than that. And they didn’t. Jerseys are always good. This one made up for the 4th place the night before. Male 45-49 750m
1. John SAYSELL North Road CC 52.381
2. Tim LAWSON Scienceinsport.com 52.545
3. Peter ETTLES Sandy Wallace Cycles 53.181
4. Martin STEPHENS VC Rutland 53.383
5. Trevor BURKE Finchley RT 53.445
6. Stephen CLAYTON Planet X 53.856
7. David BAKER Police Sport UK 54.553
8. Adrian DENT Richmond CC 54.575
9. Alastair TAYLOR Musselburgh RCC 54.579
10. Simon BAYNES Giant CC 54.720
11. Ian GREENSTREET Newbury Road Club 54.906
12. Donal LINEHAN Newbury Road Club 55.721
13. Graeme WATERS Retford and District Whlrs 55.886
14. Steve HAYWOOD Welwyn Wheelers 55.909
15. Adrian WARD Shaftesbury CC 56.403
16. James CARPENTER Citycyclecentre.com 56.519
17. Nigel BURROWS Archer RC 58.228
18. Kevin TYE Datateam Allstars DNF