The Wolfpack Hustle Forsyth Cup for July 2019
With Flying 200s, Scratch Races, Miss & Outs, and Match Sprints, a new season of the Wolfpack Hustle Forsyth Cup got underway at Encino Velodrome last Saturday evening (20 July). By and large, things seemed to pick up where they left off last year, with Chloe Patrick and Gama Lara the wheels to beat.
On the women's side, Lynn Kennedy is always willing to take a dig; Saturday was no exception, but Patrick bided her time, patiently and strategically waiting for the homestretch to take the win each race. With only three competitors, it would be deceptive to call any of the women's races suspenseful, but it was clear to see that, regardless of Chloe Patrick's dominance, the two riders from SWAT were going to push themselves to new limits.
It was a different story on the men's side; the Miss & Out was a tightly bunched affair until the final lap, the final two riders. Lara's attack, at that point, left little doubt and he won going away. The men's Scratch race was the best race of the evening; a group of four separated themselves from the other racers, all of whom were, one by one, lapped and / or pulled from the race. At four laps to go racer #68 (sorry I don't have his name right now) attacked the other three on the homestretch, and opened up a sizable gap. The reaction from the chasers was delayed, and #68 kept away through the remaining countdown of laps - three, two - then with one to go Lara raised out of the saddle and began a pursuit in earnest. The gap looked impossibly large with just one lap to close it, but quicker rather than slower he did just that. Coming out of the final turn Lara came up on the right side rear wheel of #68, everyone assuming that he would have enough for that final push to overtake. But no, #68 had kept a little extra in reserve, and surged just enough to keep his lead and the win intact. It was easily one of the best races I have seen at the velodrome, and I and the rest of the spectators appreciated the effort.
Also widely appreciated were the free tacos. Last year's Forsyth Grill had been transformed into the Forsyth Taqueira. I don't know if the tacos will be back for the August races, but the possibility of that, combined with the specter of competition has me looking forward to Saturday 20 August.
Beside the photos here you can follow the link to the album with a selection of ninety-five others.
On the women's side, Lynn Kennedy is always willing to take a dig; Saturday was no exception, but Patrick bided her time, patiently and strategically waiting for the homestretch to take the win each race. With only three competitors, it would be deceptive to call any of the women's races suspenseful, but it was clear to see that, regardless of Chloe Patrick's dominance, the two riders from SWAT were going to push themselves to new limits.
It was a different story on the men's side; the Miss & Out was a tightly bunched affair until the final lap, the final two riders. Lara's attack, at that point, left little doubt and he won going away. The men's Scratch race was the best race of the evening; a group of four separated themselves from the other racers, all of whom were, one by one, lapped and / or pulled from the race. At four laps to go racer #68 (sorry I don't have his name right now) attacked the other three on the homestretch, and opened up a sizable gap. The reaction from the chasers was delayed, and #68 kept away through the remaining countdown of laps - three, two - then with one to go Lara raised out of the saddle and began a pursuit in earnest. The gap looked impossibly large with just one lap to close it, but quicker rather than slower he did just that. Coming out of the final turn Lara came up on the right side rear wheel of #68, everyone assuming that he would have enough for that final push to overtake. But no, #68 had kept a little extra in reserve, and surged just enough to keep his lead and the win intact. It was easily one of the best races I have seen at the velodrome, and I and the rest of the spectators appreciated the effort.
Also widely appreciated were the free tacos. Last year's Forsyth Grill had been transformed into the Forsyth Taqueira. I don't know if the tacos will be back for the August races, but the possibility of that, combined with the specter of competition has me looking forward to Saturday 20 August.
Beside the photos here you can follow the link to the album with a selection of ninety-five others.
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