TOP MARK - CARMICHAEL RETAINS UNDER-19 CROWN - posted 24 July 2011

From the moment the numbers were pulled from the draw bag, riders and spectators alike were drooling over the prospect of a thilling "winner-takes-all" heat 20 climax to the British under-19 championship at Ipswich bringing together principal contenders Mark Carmichael, Ben Mould and Paul Heard.

Everything went according to script as the three leading protagonists duly arrived at the finale unbeaten.  Whatever the scenario, gate positions were always going to prove crucial especially when you have three equally talented competitors gunning for gold. 

As so often happens, the eagerly awaited showdown proved to be something of an anticlimax.  Defending champion Mark Carmichael (pictured below) blasted from gate two and with both Mould and Heard on his outside made a beeline for the chequered flag, winning with comparative ease.

It's fair to say that the big three totally dominated this event.  It's equally fair to say that they didn't have things all their own way.  If that sounds a contradiction in terms, well in some respects it was.  At various times all three found themselves in tricky positions which would have fazed many riders.  But one thing separates the champion for the journeyman - time.

Never was this better illustrated than in heat 11 when Paul Heard (pictured below) found himself relegated in to third place after an uncharacteristically untidy first bend.  In one magnificent manoeuvre, he calmly went from first to first in the space of a straight.  It was thrilling stuff.

Carmichael also had to bide his time, taking three laps to pass a tiring Phil Adams two races earlier. The Horspath star also had to call on all his passing skills in heat 14 (pictured below) when he dived inside Ipswich's impressive Jamie Chittock going into the first turn third time round to maintain his title defence.

So what of the others?  Poole's stylish Aaron Morgan caught the eye but couldn't catch Carmichael, Mould or Heard, finishing on 17 points for fourth overall.  Dan Chambers looked sharp, an exclusion for legging in his last outing restricting his tally to a modest 12.  Entertaining Phil Adams failed to capitalise on his two inners draw, noticeably tiring in his second race on the trot but still managed a creditable 12 points.  Meanwhile Poole's Leyton Glover started like a whirlwind, notching seven points from his opening two races, but ended in a squall, finishing with a disappointing nine points.

One of the most improved riders in the Premier League this season is Dan Bock.  Although he didn't manage to win a race, he did himself proud, a nifty pass on Ben Collins in his opening race adding to his never-say-die reputation.  Ipswich's Jamie Chittock (pictured) also found himelf well-placed in several races but couldn't translate that to points.

Despite the low entry, just 18 riders coming to the start line, the event oozed quality as opposed to quantity and demonstrated what a resovir of talent we have in the sport today.  It would have been good to see Tom Reed in the mix but in these days when money is tight and petrol becoming a luxury, you can understand while the Exeter based rider declined to make the 570 mile round trip from his Devon home, prefering instead to concentrate his effort on next month's British championship in Norwich.

Once again Ipswich are to be congratulated on another first class promotion.  The Whitton circuit, one of the best racing tracks in the country, was in superb condition; referee Terry Ashford was always in control applying the rules with  common sense and due tolerance; the relaxed style of professional announcer Stephen Foster from Radio Suffolk considerably added to the crowd's enjoyment; the colourful programme was informative; the list of VIPs impressive including the mayor and mayoress of Ipswich Councillor John and Doreen Le Grys and British Cycling Board member and Cycle Speedway Commission chairman - and tea was excellent! 

The only downside to an enjoyable day was the fact that the event started 90 minutes (yes, an hour and a half late - but more of that later) and the embarrassing antics of an Ipswich international who, after being eliminated from the qualifying rounds, remonstrated with the referee, virtually under the noses of the presentation party, stormed off the track and petulantly threw his helmet in the direction of cars parked on the grass verge.

Still that should detract from a great day's racing, pinnacled by the sheer brilliance of three outstanding riders - messrs Carmichael, Mould and Heard. 

British Under-19 Individual Championship at Ipswich
sponsored by Wosskow Brown Solicitors
Mark Carmichael (Horspath) 20, Ben Mould (East Newport) 19, Paul Heard (Birmingham) 18, Aaron Morgan (Poole) 17, Dan Chambers (Norwich) 12, Phil Adams (Hethersett) 12, Ashley Hill (Ipswich) 11, Richard Fellgett (Ipswich) 11, Joe Kemp (Bretford) 11, Dan Bock (East Newport) 11, George Solomon (Ipswich) 10, Ben Collins (Hethersett) 10, Jamie Chittock (Ipswich) 10 Leyton Glover (Poole) 9, Charlie Rumbold (Ipswich) 8, Lewis Roberts (Ipswich) 7
Non-Qualifiers
Jordan Stant (Ipswich), Matt Hill (Ipswich)
Referee: Terry Ashford (Suffolk)