Cottams' Clean Sweep At Track Cycling Laykold Cup Carnival

Cottams' Clean Sweep At Track Cycling Laykold Cup Carnival

December 4, 2012

New Plymouth's Cottam family went home with all the silverware and the majority of Burkes Cycles and Armstrong Sports prizes that were on offer at track cycling's Laykold Cup carnival held at Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai on Sunday December 2. Denay Cottam capped off a fantastic afternoon of racing, holding off Jordan Castle and Mark Findlay in a rapid sprint finish at the end of the 10km Open Senior Laykold Cup scratch race.

The race was marked by constant attacks and surges, which failed to split the high quality bunch but wore down the riders. Castle made a number of attempts to escape the group and Wellington's Nick Warren managed to get away for four laps before being swept up. Cottam positioned himself well for the final sprint and led it out into the last banking, extracting the last drops of energy from his legs to cross the line half a bike length ahead of Castle.

Father Jeremy Cottam showed his impressive turn of speed, breaking away with Wellington's Steve Chapman and Peter Moore in the 8km Stayers' Cup scratch race for over 35 riders. The trio went away at half distance and worked well together to lap the field before Cottam blasted away on the final lap for a stylish victory. Chapman nudged past Moore for second place.

In the women's 6km Poneke Plate scratch race, Maxyna Cottam won with a solo effort, dropping her rivals during the last third of the race. Kate Dudley was second and Ruby Perry third.

More than 25 juniors contested the Scotties Potties Omnium competitions across under 13, under 15 and under 17 grades where points are scored according to placing in four different races. Thomas Scarlett and Campbell Stewart won all of their under 13 and under 17 races respectively, running away with the overall prizes. Sampson Mollan was second in the under 13s with Sophie Bloxham third, while Carne Grouve was runner up in the under 17s ahead of Louis Higgison.

Ollie Wood won the under 15s, winning three events along the way. Holly Blakely outscored him in the points race securing third overall just behind Liam Sherlock who was second in all four races.

In total, 57 riders raced the 2012 Laykold Cup - the biggest field in years - and was hailed by organiser Peter Moore as a great success. "It was an awesome day of racing and a sign of good things to come for track racing in Wellington."

Racing at Wellington Velodrome continues next Sunday on December 9 from 4-6pm with round five of the Burkes Cycles Speed League. More details here: http://www.pnp.org.nz/events/speed-league-track-racing-5/

More photos from the Laykold Cup Carnival can be found at www.facebook.com/wellington.velodrome

Full results from the Carnival are here: http://bit.ly/SrlBgI

ENDS

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