Hello,
I've just come back from Newcastle for the final round of the championship.
I haven't got the score card with me, and I didn't keep notes during the meeting, but the following are some of the moments that stood out for me.
The first round of the night's racing was boring, with all riders pretty much line astern.
The extended track grading before the second round was even more boring; but after that the meeting improved, with some passing and some aggressive riding.
I thought Troy was a bit rude for his first corner fencing effort on Chris Holder in their heat race. Chris set off after him and the two riders were so focused on their personal battle they missed the chequered flag, and raced flat strap for another lap. Chris looked like he tried to take Troy's front wheel out when they were slowing down, and then they started their back straight "discussion". Troy played to the crowd after Holder took off to the pits, which would have looked better if he went on to win the big prize. Would have loved to have been in the pits....For the record, I don't know Batchelor at all, and only know Holder a little bit - so it's just based on what I saw from the stands.
Batchelor's next race had him up against James Holder. I wondered if James would feed him a wheel, but Troy took off from the start and was never headed.
Corey Gathercole put in a couple of determined rides, and one race in particular a couple of his opponents shook their heads complaining of his tactics. From where I sat, I thought those rides of his were just hard, fast and tough - great stuff. And yet other rides he didn't show the same aggression.
Davies and Doyle had a hard fall in a first turn incident; but they both came back out for the re-start - gutsy stuff.
Jason Doyle's effort in the same race to push his bike a whole lap to gain 1 point, after his bike failed through Turn 4 on the penultimate lap.
Darcy Ward rides like a winner - and yes I know he's reigning World U21 champion, but I haven't seen him ride very often.
The tension before both the B Final and then the A Final - knowing what was hinging on the results.
Chris Holder's efforts to win the championship at this meeting. When he had to deliver championship winning rides - he did.
I didn't like it when the lady sitting next to me threw up halfway through the meeting. She was from England and was on a tour, which included the 3 rounds of the championship series. Maybe our local Dagwood Dogs hadn't agreed with her? Thankfully there was little or no breeze, so I couldn't smell anything. I felt sorry for her, and her Scottish friend who had to stop watching the meeting and go attend to her. I hope she is OK now!
I also didn't like driving the 650 mile round trip - all done within a 24 hour period - to watch the racing. A bloke must be mad...
And finally a big thank you to all those involved in keeping us updated with results during the 3 rounds. Very much appreciated.
Michael Carscadden
Canberra
Australia
