National Omnium Finals.

The one thing I remember most about this year’s National youth omnium finals, which were held in Wolverhampton, was the unusually warm British weather with the temperature in the mid to high 20’s.

First race was the kilo Time Trial (That wasn’t actually a kilo, it was 900 odd metres) over 2 laps of the track.  2 laps flat out resulted in a 5th place for me.

Devil up next (My worst event), sprint when it was down to the last 4 riders.  With 6 riders left I managed to box the last rider, at the bottom of the track, to get into the last 5. The heat started to take its toll on me, I was slowly dying and just missed out on the final sprint finishing in 5th.

Now the last 3 events, which are normally some of my strongest, is where it all went badly wrong….The temperature rose, and my results flat lined.

Scratch race was next on the agenda. Unusually I was dreading the scratch. Going well at the start but I began to tire with a few laps to go, however I hung in there and managed to finish 5th or 6th.

The next event would be considered my best the keirin, it’s great fun. Although not today, by this point in the day it was fair to say I was drained of all energy. I was drawn in the first heat (For the top six) and finished in 6th, a very bad keirin for me.

I’m not even going to mention the points race other than to say I was lucky to keep 5th overall.

That was my 2015 national omnium finals and I hope to do it again for the next 2 years. I need a hot weather training camp so I learn to cope with the heat!!!!!!

Fifth place at a national event wouldn’t be possible without the help from the coaches at Glasgow Riderz and the support of the Braveheart fund.

Jack Cruden


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