UPDATE : Sadly, rain disrupted this year's meeting, but results are now up, with pictures. Full report to follow.
First held in 1903, the Good Friday Meeting at Herne Hill is one of British Cycling's great institutions. Run as a one-off by the Southern Counties Cycling Union, it was a huge success and the track was immediately booked for the following year. Apart from a brief break for a World War (the first one didn't stop them) and a break in 2004 because of a clash with a World Cup event in Manchester, it's run pretty much continuously ever since.
Always a chance for the public to see top national and international talent, the event has built up a portfolio of signature events that have seen stars of the time – and, in the case of the White Hope Sprint, of the future compete on the last remaining 1948 Olympic venue.
Now named after 1948 winner Johnnie Dennis, the White Hope Sprint was designed to showcase young talent, in more recent years has seen wins from current GB coach Gary Coltman (1982), trackcycling nostalgia columnist Mark Beevers (1987), current GB stars Jamie Staff (2002) and Matt Crampton (2002) and GB Academy rider and multiple Junior World Champion Christian Lyte (2006). Lyte and last year's winner Luc Jones are entered for this year's meeting.
The International Sprint has had more than its share of famous winners, too. Another trackcycling columnist, World Keirin Champion Gordon Singleton took the title in 1982. German legend Michael Hubner won in 1993 and 1994, Craig Maclean in 1999, Arnaud Tournant in 2000. Ross Edgar and Chris Hoy won in 2002 and 2003 – and Edgar returns this year for another crack at it. Current GB coaches Jon Norfolk and Jan van Eijden took the title in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
The gruelling 10 Minute Pursuit has also seen some big name winners. Organiser of this year's London Six Days Tony Doyle won in 1978, with road legend Sean Yates winning the following year. Graeme Obree took victory in 1994, after which Rob Hayles – who rides this year – took three straight wins. Bradley Wiggins then took 5 of the next 7, with only current Olympic and World Points Bronze medallist Chris Newton spoiling the sequence. Newton is back again this year.
The Blue Riband endurance event, the Golden Wheel Scratch Race was also won by Gordon Singleton back in 1978 and Gary Coltman ten years later. But, most impressively, Rob Hayles backed up his triple victories in the 10 Minute Pursuit by winning the Golden Wheel Scratch in the same three years. Almost as impressive, Jon Norfolk won the Scratch race in the same year he won the International Sprint. Tony Gibb – back in the field this year – won in 2001 and again last year. Australian roadie Stuart O'Grady took a rare overseas win in 2003 and qualification for veterans racing didn't stop Malcolm Elliott from taking the 2006 race.
As well as the previous winners, Olympic Gold medallist Ed Clancy rides this year, as does mutliple World and Paralympic champion Jody Cundy. Current GB Academy riders Rebecca James, Peter Mitchell, Helen Scott and Jess Varnish and Academy graduate Andy Tennant are also in the field, along with yet another trackcycling columnist Lee Povey and former cycle speedway World Champion Jim Varnish.
The ranks of the International Sprint are always swelled by a strong presence from Italy and the Kia Motors and GS Fiorin team are well represented as are the Netherlands who send Patrick Bos and Jelger Bisschop. And the big Triumph stayers bikes will also be out with Edwin Smeulders of Belgium, Florian Fernow and Mario Vonhof of Germany and Josef Zanka of Slovakia among the contenders.
Tickets are still available from http://www.bristowevents.co.uk/goodfriday.html
Gates open at 10 with the Sprint qualifying kicking off at 11. The full race card starts at 1pm.
Events
Adept Handicap
Ed Taylor Points Race
CATFORD CC Devil
BPA Motor Paced Grand Prix
Johnnie Dennis White Hope Sprint
Ten Minute Pursuit
Ana Nichoola Womens Keirin
Dirc Khan Evans Elimination Race
NEOVITE Sprint
Ron Beckett Scratch Race
Golden Wheel Sratch Race