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- Graham Bristow

A word from the Organiser
It seems that the move to indoors was a popular one and in the light of the weather a wise one too!

For my part the move was very much a learning curve having never organised at Newport before and I have to thank Courtney and Chris for being most helpful and supportive of the event and for doing all they could to ensure that the Velodrome came up to standard for the occasion.

Dave Kennedy did an excellent job on the microphone and it is a shame that the PA system wasn’t as good as it could have been. Next time I will hire in a track centre PA system with Dave also announcing from track centre.

The two lap sprint format didn’t prove to be very popular so we will have to think about that. Three laps would mean starting earlier in the day of course and could make for a long day, but if that is the wishes of the riders then we will have to give it serious consideration.

The Sprint Omniums and Derny race on Saturday were meant to enhance the Championships and encourage spectators in to witness the Championship Scratch races – they were not just ‘padding’. Admittedly it did make for a long day but the racing was superbe and was a joy to witness. Even though the Officials were exhausted at the end of the evening they all agreed the same. Whether it is repeated next time remains to be seen but I think the concept has some merit and is worthy of development, if not at these Championships then on another occasion.

If the Worlds can be held at Manchester for 11 years and the Europeans likely to follow suite, then I cannot really see the argument against the National Masters staying at Newport for a couple of years while London and Glasgow are built. Moving it between the four tracks after then would be an attractive option.

The comments, both practical and impractical, made with regards to the event have been most welcome and I thank all the competitors for being so sporting, competitive and above all for being such a great bunch. It was my pleasure to organise your Championships.

Graham Bristow

After an overwhelming vote by the Masters riders last year, the 2008 edition of the Masters National Track Championships has a new home. So whilst saying thank you to Scunthorpe and the Scunthorpe Poly for hosting a very successful Championships at the second attempt last year we now move indoors to the National Velodrome of Wales at Newport.

Although a lot of people have nostalgic reasons for outdoor racing – me included, it can only be a positive move to South Wales. Without the vagaries of the British climate to worry about we can all prepare for the Championships in the certain knowledge that rain won’t stop play!

An added bonus for many of the riders is that they will be able to gain valuable indoor track time under Championship conditions ahead of the European Masters Championships which are to be held at Manchester later.

Whilst inevitably there is a higher cost involved in going inside we have kept the Entry Fee to a minimum in order to encourage and promote Masters racing and the Masters Championships in particular.

Incorporated with the Masters Championships this year we have the Track Championships for Cyclists with a Disability. And if that is not enough we are also planning to have an Open Endurance Omnium on Friday night and an Open Sprinters Omnium and an Open Derny Paced Race on Saturday. I can hardly wait!

Graham Bristow
Organiser