The Revolution series of track events is a popular format, attracting large crowds as some of the biggest names in cycling come together to host an evening of spectacular racing. It's a format that has really opened up track racing to a new audience, with the aim of making it accessible and exciting a great combination.
While the series focuses on the bigger names in the sport, the packed schedule of racing also makes place for the future stars of the sport. Now though, the youngsters of the sport have their own Revolution event, the Future Revolution.
Newport Velodrome, Wales, hosted the first ever Future Revolution last weekend, and saw some of the very fastest juniors battle it out on the boards. Riders from England, Wales, Scotland, USA, Holland and the Isle of Man raced through events including the Olympic Stars Match Sprint, Olympic DHL Team Sprint, DHL Keirin, Madison and much more besides these few.
The racing was thrilling to watch, and the speed and confidence on display by the young riders is astounding. The DHL Sprint School was set up earlier this year to coach young riders not already on the British Cycling Talent Team, and it's clear this programme, with the addition of mentor Craig MacLean, is paying dividends.
The riders and crowds were graced with the presence of three men who need no introduction: Chris Hoy, Ross Edgar and Craig MacLean, who not only put on a dazzingly display of match sprinting that demonstrated their incredible skills and raw speed, but also each took part in Olympic sprints with some very small youth riders. This was perhaps the highlight of the event. Seeing these three riders, at the peak of their sport, getting involved with the youngsters and rising talent was worth the trip alone.
“As an Olympic champion it's always great to be given the opportunity to see the up and coming talent in my sport,” Hoy said. “I've always enjoyed racing at Revolution so it is great that this new event has been developed for our junior riders. It's particularly exciting because the Future Stars racing is always hotly contested so October 13th should be no different.”
Future Revolution will be back again next year, and we recommend attending. If you can't wait until then though, the Revolution series kicks into life once again on 22 October - where incidentally some of the future stars will be racing.
But tickets now from www.cyclingrevolution.com
