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SOUTHERN TOUR |
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Saturday 20 June 2009, 00:00 UK |
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by George English |
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Dateline: Saturday June 20th 10:30am
Venue: Maddison Hotel, Swindon
It's a dull showery morning as the Newcastle party surface at their Wiltshire base, buoyed by a fine battling display at Somerset last night.
Everyone has shown their face this morning with the exception of Adam McKinna as he gets some extra sleep in readiness for tonight's tough match at Rye House.
Our party arrived back at our regular Swindon base and it was there that the team were able to get to know Rene Bach much better than at the track earlier.
Rene flew into Stansted yesterday afternoon and was picked up by Kenni, mechanic Pierre, Alan Hedley and Rene's dad who had driven across with the bikes.
At Somerset he did a very good job not afraid to mix it and collecting 6 points from a tactical ride.
We knew his gating wasn't too hot but as a youngster that is something that he can improve upon.
There were some tremendous rides by the Sapphire Engineering Diamonds at Somerset with Deek's heat 14 storming from the back ride bringing his team mates to the pits gate to congratulate him on a thrilling display.
On the night though everyone contributed outlined by the fact that our lowest scorer on the night being a paid 4 tally.
Both Jason and Rene also won races from the back and the only difference between the two sides was the fact that the two top home riders outgated our two Danes in heats 13 and 15.
Even then Rene forced his way past the Rebels pair in the last race and was involved in a ding dong battle with Kramer and Johnston until a dropped chain coming round the last bend robbed the youngster of at least a second place.
So it was a fairly happy party in the hotel last night and everyone was able to relax after a hard evenings work.
Jason isn't with us as he took the opportunity to stay at his father’s house last night while his ever helpful mechanic, Ilene, returned to her home last night armed with 7 pairs of kevlars to wash in readiness for tonight.
She's an absolute gem is Ilene.
Our two Danes were first down for breakfast this morning and have just walked past me as I write this having already finished cleaning their bikes.
The rest of the lads are just starting to do theirs now, with Cal Mcdade doing the bike of the sleeping Adam.
We will be heading off along the M4 and M25 at lunchtime aiming for the pub at Rye, next to the Stadium so the lads can get a bite to eat before tonight's contest.
From the big expanses of the Oak Tree Arena to the tight, slick Hoddesdon circuit it will certainly be a challenging welcome to the Newcastle team for Rene. |
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