2008 UCI World Cup Manchester

Amanda and I ventured to Manchester this weekend to watch the first round of the new track cycling World Cup season.  After sensational performances at the World Championships and Olympics, track cycling is riding a high in the UK.  These performances continued Saturday night.

For £14 our ticket was valid for both the afternoon (12:30 - 17:40) and evening (19:00 - 10:20) sessions, a bargain I think.  As the day progressed it was clear British cyclists were going to dominate - whether they rode for Team Sky (SKY),  Great Britain (BGR) or Team 100% Me.  In qualifiers they looked the strongest ... in finals they were unbeatable:

• Victoria Pendleton the Womens 500m TT;
• Britains quartet the 4000m Team Pursuit (by catching Denmark);
• Lizzie Armistead the Womens 10km Scratch Race;
• Jess Varnish and Anna Blyth the Womens Team Sprint;
  
• Jason Kenny the Mens Sprint;
• Chris Newton the 30km Points Race.

Despite the dominance, it was amazing viewing - three crashes, two in finals proved it wasn't over till it was over.  

• Lokomotiv were set for bronze in the Teams Pursuit before rider #2 came down in the transition bringing down riders #3 and #4.  
• The second race of the final of the Mens Sprint finished with both riders sliding across the line.
  

Photo ©: Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk

2008 UCI World Cup Manchester