Red Bull Mini Drome barelled into Manchester city centre this weekend with more than 100 riders feeling the need for speed in the world's smallest velodrome...
The Red Bull Mini Drome 2011 tour made its final stop at Manchester's Victoria Baths this weekend, with biking legend Chris Akrigg and Chris Fuber coach of the British Paralympics cycling team sitting in on the judging panel. The action-packed day and saw over 100 fixed-gear riders experience the intensity of the 25-metre track, reaching speeds of up to 25mph.
Built by Velotrack (who created the Velodrome for the Georgia Olympics), the track challenges both body and mind as riders are required to navigate themselves around a unique and technically challenging course.
Following some intense qualifiers, the 32 fastest riders went head-to-head in the final heats in front of hundreds of spectators. There was fierce competition especially in the final which saw Ricky Crompton from Lancashire battle against Toms Alsbergs from Latvia who narrowly claimed the title with an epic time of 34.769.
Both riders were on a high after the event, with Toms saying: "It's really amazing what I can feel after every event and victory." And a pumped Ricky declaring: "Results don't really bother me, the excitement factor of the actual race is what I get the kick out of."
The excitement didn't end there as the battle for third place was a close call with Janis Savickis and Richard Cunynghame both putting in an impressive performance on the track. In the end, Janis had a slight edge and scooped the coveted third-place spot.
The event ended on a high with riders buzzing from the event, leaving things on a high until Red Bull Mini Drome returns in 2012.
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