British Cycling – National Track Championships – Day 1, 28 Sept 2011
Author: Chris Maher, Pictures courtesy of: Chris Maher | Photography
The 2011 British National Track Championships once again are held in the National Cycling Centre, Manchester. The event is spread over 5 days, and starts off with the Open Pursuit, Women’s 500m Individual Time Trial and Para-cycling ITT.
This will be the final selection period of the four yearly cycle for those athletes who want to shine and represent Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
The National Track Championships traditionally open up the winter period of competition here in the UK. So this year will it will be very special as it’s on the final run up to London 2012. More athletes than ever before will be vying for that elusive placement on Team GB, and those that have held the top placements for the past few years will be challenging one more time for that final bid at Olympic glory.
This season will see both men & women challenging on the Track that have been successful on the Road. So the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas and Lizzie Armitstead are likely to spend most of the winter on the boards and in the gym.
This season should also herald National and World records, broken by the desire to win attention and all that fine tuning in the four year GB plan. Let the Championships begin…
Open 4000m Qualifying (NR: Chris Boardman 4.11.114)
Open 4000m Medals (Non Olympic Event)
2008 Holder: Steven Burke
2009 Holder: Geraint Thomas 4:18.241
2010 Holder: Peter Kennaugh 4:25.215
- Gold Steven Burke
- Silver Samual Harrison
- Bronze Jonathon Dibben
Jonathan Dibben lapped his opponent Douglas Dewey to claim the Bronze in the Open 1000m Individual Pursuit.
Steven Burke overhauled rival Samuel Harrison to claim the National IP Champions Jersey and Gold medal. Catching Harrison on the final lap was enough to clinch the 2011 title.
Women’s 500m Time Trial (NR: Victoria Pendleton 33.838) (Non Olympic Event)
2007 Holder: Victoria Pendleton
2008 Holder: Anna Blyth
2009 Holder: Victoria Pendleton 34.262
2010 Holder: Victoria Pendleton 34.636
- Gold Jessica Varnish 34.500 PB
- Silver Rebecca James 35.414
- Bronze Laura Trott 35.980
Jessica Varnish claimed the first Gold of the British National Track Championships with a personal best time of 34.500, fending off stiff competition from Rebecca James & Laura Trott… Dani King rode home fourth with a 35.995, whilst Joanna Rowsell also set a personal best with a 36.342
Para-cycling Time Trial
- Gold Jon-Allan Butterworth MC5 1.07.459 WR
- Silver Aileen McGlynn OBE FB 1.09.456
- Bronze Neil Fachie MB 1.03.299
Jon-Allan Butterworth wearing the World Champions rainbow jersey beat his own World Record (1.07.615) in the Para-cycling Time Trial (MC5) with a 1.07.615 to claim the second Gold of the day. Although Butterworth didn’t get the best of starts out of the blocks, he soon got into his stride to claim the National Champions Jersey.
