Revolution 24 lived up to the expectations of the sell-out crowd on Saturday (21^st February), and was platform for the spectacular last race from Arnaud Tournant. Revolution series six came to a close for the season, with the race enjoying sell-out crowds in every single event held.

The night kicked off with the Elite Team Devil Scratch, after the Madison-style elimination section of the race, those left in the race continued to inject more pace for a fantastic finish. Rising star Peter Kennaugh and established endurance specialist, Rob Hayles were the only riders to mount a challenge to the pro team combination of Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins, who finished ahead in the standings. Thomas just managing to come off better in the sprint from Kennaugh.

It’s no surprise riders were pulling some amazing times out of the bag with a full capacity cheering on the Revolution sprinters. Many of the riders were carrying some form from the recent Copenhagen World Cup. Matt Crampton proved to be star of the show when he produced a time of 10.131, with Jason Kenny just behind in 10.166 and Jamie Staff in third with 10.246. A familiar face to some, 400 metre runner, Iwan Thomas also had a go around the track in a respectable 13.079.

The Future Stars Girls 5 Lap Dash had a slow start, but as soon as the bell sounded, Hannah Barnes attacked and held off her rivals to take the win. Hannah Manley led the bunch sprint with Hannah Layland just behind in third. Series leader Ruby Miller didn’t make it to the podium for once, presumably because her name wasn’t Hannah.

The new Team 1 Lap Flying Time Trial continued the Madison theme of the night. PCA duo Tony Gibb and Tom Murray produced the best time of 13.821 in the first half of riders, but Chris Newton and Luke Rowe notched them out with 13.745. Then Olympic heroes Ed Clancy and Steven Burke somehow managed an amazing 13.243.

With so many prolific sprinters in the Revolution Sprint competition, there were some tight finishes and big chances being taken. Matt Crampton, Francois Pervis, Jamie Staff and Dave Daniell went through to the semi-final from the early rounds. Matt Crampton then went on to beat Jamie Staff in a tight finish, after many track stand treats for the spectators. Dave Daniell then put out Frenchman Francois Pervis to make an all-British final.

Dave Daniell took the win in the final despite excellent form earlier in the evening from Matt Crampton. Daniell took the race from the front but Crampton used the banking to his advantage, his final rush not quite enough to come past the powerful Daniell.

There was no doubt as to the winner of the Future Stars Boys 5km Scratch, with John Paul crossing the line well ahead of the group with both hands aloft. Jack Penrice took second and Chris Nicholson wasn’t far behind in third from the bunch sprint.

The 12.5km Points Race also had a team aspect, with each partner completing half of the race. We know Chris Newton is pretty proficient in points races, and his young partner Luke Rowe added some value too as they took the win with 21 points. Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins were narrowly behind with 18 points and David Muntaner and Unai Elorriaga were third with 14 points.

It was the turn of the girls to race in their 5km Scratch Race, the early part of the race proved fairly uneventful, until a crash took out four of the riders, including series leader, Ruby Miller. A few attacks went away, but didn’t stick. Harriet Owen looked like she could take the win, before a group containing Ruby Miller overtook, with Miller taking sweet victory. A good result, considering Miller was involved in the earlier crash, and was the only one to remount and carry on.

The Keirin consisted of the losers from the sprint rounds, and starred soon-to-be retiree, Arnaud Tournant. Tournant got prime position behind the derney, but couldn’t mount a challenge. It was fellow Frenchman, Mickael D’Almeida who managed to beat Brits Jason Kenny and Christian Lyte.

The points race is always an exciting one, and there’s usually no respite for those who need to win the race overall. Simon Yates extended his lead in the Future Stars Boys Points Race when he took the first set of points. Josh Papworth and Ewan McDonald managed a stint off the front, and picked up some points, while Felix English and Adam Yates also managed points. But it was Simon’s consistent scoring throughout the race which ensured his win and leadership in the overall.

The 1km Madison Time Trial is always a popular event at the Revolution. Ed Clancy and Steven Burke had already proved to be formidable in the earlier Team 1 Lap Flying Time Trial. The 1km event was no different, and they achieved a superb time of 54.779. Arnaud Tournant achieved second with his partner Francois Pervis, with Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins in third. Jason Kenny and David Daniell could have been contenders, but Daniell suffered a crash during the change leaving him with a DNF.

Ruby Miller got into her usual winning dominance again with her second victory of the night in the Future Stars Girls Points Race. Her lead of 15 points was way ahead of Lucy Garner and Laura Trott in second and third. Miller has really shown potential with continued success throughout the series and deserved to take the overall in the final standings.

In the last Future Stars race of the series, the fast and furious Boys 6 Lap Dash was won by Josh Papworth, with brothers Adam and Simon Yates in second and third respectively. Simon did enough to maintain his overall lead on the series.

The Isaac Galvez Memorial Elite Madison was the last endurance event of the evening, with a lot of the competitors having competed in the national championships that afternoon. Rapha Condor team mates Chris Newton and Luke Rowe, representing O2, had the edge on       track specialists David Muntaner and Unai Elorriaga and successful Revolution Madison partners Ed Clancy and Steven Burke.

It wouldn’t have been right to have so many British and French sprinters without having a showdown between the two nations. English pride was maintained in the form of Jason Kenny, Ross Edgar and Jamie Staff in front of the home crowd. The French received an excellent reception and thoroughly enjoyed their evening in Manchester. Arnaud Tournant, in particular, received a fantastic send-off from the riders and crowd, to the tune of ‘Allo ‘Allo!

Revolution series will be back later in 2009, and will have some exciting new prospects that Revolution fans can look forward to. Keep visiting cyclingrevolution.com for news and updates.

 

FULL RESULTS (400kb)>

 

Photo credit: Dave Kirkwood - www.davekirkwood.com