Burkes Cycles Speed League Round 3: Blakely Back On Top, Pepperell Moves Up

Zac Blakely reclaimed the lead of the Burkes Cycles Speed League after a full-on afternoon of racing at Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai on Sunday November 17, while Ele Pepperell became the third women's leader in as many rounds. Jamie Hodgkinson, racing in the C category was the biggest winner on the night, picking up wins in three events and shooting up the overall table to fourth spot.

Zac Blakely reclaimed the lead of the Burkes Cycles Speed League after a full-on afternoon of racing at Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai on Sunday November 17, while Ele Pepperell became the third women's leader in as many rounds. Jamie Hodgkinson, racing in the C category was the biggest winner on the night, picking up wins in three events and shooting up the overall table to fourth spot.

Blakely won the A category scratch race ahead of Louis Higgison and Nick Warren, and profited from his Meo GP team-mate Jed McDermott's win in the A+B category Team Scratch to grab 17 points on the day. However it was Higgison who scored most points in the A category, coming first in the 2-Lap Sprinters Scratch in front of Warren and Blakley and nabbing second and third places in the other three races, giving him 18 points. Points race winner was Grant Perry, racking up his first victory of the season.

Blakley now has 57 points and gets to wear the Champion System senior/ under 19s leaders jersey, with previous leader Max Uivel just behind on 53.

In the women's category, Pepperell won the Sprinters Scratch but was second to Holly Blakely in the Scratch and Points Race. Holly Blakely was also victor in the C category and Women's Team Scratch, and is just four points behind Pepperell on the overall table. Sarah Barclay, Renita Vanderhelm and Penny Thomson fought hard throughout the meeting for the minor placings.

Will Findlay cemented his grip on the under 17 contest, winning the 8-Lap B category scratch, and riding strongly with Blakely, McDermott, Jordan Lewis and Ben Humphries in the Team Scratch. Louis Hodgkinson also looks comfortable in his Champion System leaders jersey in the under 15s on 39 points overall head of Liam Cooper on 26.

Round four of the Burkes Cycles Speed League is on November 24 at Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai.