Thame track cyclist is GB Masters Champion

THAME cyclist, Malcolm Freeman, riding for GS Vecchi team, has achieved top spot on the podium in British Cycling’s National Masters Track Championships, staged in the indoor Newport Velodrome.

A typical race scene from the British Cycling’s National Masters Track Championships – Image courtesy of rideupgrades.wordpress.com

The races are run in five year age bands from 30 to 75. Malcolm competed in the 65 age group winning the eight kilometre scratch race making him the Champion of Great Britain for the coming year.

A proud Malcolm said: “This was a timely win as it was 50 years ago this year that I won a previous National Championship, in 1966.

“The competition is very tough as most of the competitors are old stagers and very wily. Twenty two riders set off to the starter’s gun; the pace was very high from the start. I decided to stay near the front and contribute to the high pace setting. The laps disappeared very quickly and I had to stay very attentive throughout the 32 laps.

“I hit the front with full gas at the bell, holding off the other racers to the finish line.”

Malcolm, who is a member of the High Wycombe Cycle Club, is now looking forward to the Masters World Championships which will take place in the National Cycling Centre in Manchester this coming October.