Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish lost ten laps on the opening night of the Ghent six-day last night, as the British pair found themselves off the pace.
The pair finished seven laps down in the first Madison race and lost a further three in the second. Any chances of the overall win now seem unrealistic, although that shouldn?t be too much of a surprise considering they have both recently had extended rest periods following heavy racing seasons.
By the end of the week, the pair should be riding themselves in to form before heading straight out to Sydney and the first track world cup. The pair will ride the Madison in Sydney to gain crucial qualifying points. In an Olympic cycle it?s the world cups that hold far greater importance for the British pair.
There is however plenty to cheer for British fans, as youngsters Adam Blythe and Peter Kennaugh found themselves in the lead in the Under-25 event that runs before the pro race. The pair, who are still juniors, lead the event by two points, with the first four teams all on the same lap.
Both Blythe and Kennaugh are newcomers to British Cycling?s Olympic Academy this winter, and despite their age have plenty of track racing experience. ?I?ve always taken non Madison riders to these events, to push their technical skills? their coach Rod Ellingworth said of bringing two of his strongest new riders. ?But we?ve now got so many riders training together on the track that it?s not an issue. They can learn the skills they need in training.?
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This is the first six-day of the season for young British riders, and there?s no pressure on them to win. ?It?s all about race tactics,? Ellingworth explained. ?How to race, how to hold on to a lead. Technically they?re very good but it will be hard for them to hold on to it. There?s some very experienced teams here and [Blythe and Kennaugh] are more likely to make a mistake.?
Adam Blythe and Peter Kennaugh take the flowers after the first night
Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He first fell in love with cycling in 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 134-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015 and can still be seen riding bikes around the lanes of Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Albeit a bit slower than before.
