Rollapaluza National Series

[veloriders]

Rollapaluza completed their tour of UK cities with last weekend's events in Manchester and Southampton, the fastest riders from these races plus the rounds in Bristol, Swansea and London will be invited to represent their region in the Rollapaluza National finals to be held in London on Good Friday, April 2nd. Joining them will be recent Rollapaluza riders from all over the UK who have set exceptional 500m Rollapaluza times, one or two surprise wild-card entries from riders with sprint pedigrees and the reigning UK Rollapaluza courier champions.

The National Finals will be held after the annual Good Friday track meeting at Herne Hill velodrome, just around the corner at the Half Moon pub from 7pm, making up an exciting double-header of Easter cycling entertainment.

Manchester (North)
A keen crowd packed into the basement bar of Manchester's TV21 bar to witness some amazing Rollapaluza action from the girls! Megan Boyd, Nadine Spearing and Melissa Bury set some super-fast times with Melissa setting the fastest female time of the National series with a stunning 22.97s, nearly two seconds faster than the fastest female time in previous rounds and for most of the qualification these three girls were faster than all the men present! It wasn't a surprise to see Melissa go on to take the win from Nadine, with Megan in third and Rollapaluza regular Jennnifer Doohan in fourth.

In the men's competition multiple Rollapaluza winner Matt Rotherham got a shock when he only qualified second fastest to the ever-improving James Carlsson, however Matt bounced back to win the 1000m final by a clear six seconds!

Manchester bike shop GBH bikes provided the prizes.

Full results and photos here: http://www.rollapaluza.com/?p=991

Men:

1. Matt Rotherham 45.82 (1000m)
2. James Carlsson 51.50 (1000m)
3. David Everett (500m)
4. Alan Peet (500m)

Women:

1. Melissa Bury 23.14
2. Nadine Spearing 23.55
3. Megan Boyd 24.51
4. Jennifer Doohan 27.60

Southampton (South)
Rollapaluza Southampton was hosted by TV cycling commentator Anthony McCrossan. He did a great job whipping up the very mixed crowd into a frenzy, competitors ranged from fixie riders from Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth to local track, road and TT riders as well as leisure cyclists just keen to soak up the atmosphere. However the stakes were really raised when the huge frame of professional BMX rider Rob Reed strolled into the Sporting View pub. Rob has already qualified for the National Finals having come second in Bristol, but was keen to get some practise in ahead of Good Friday. He didn't disappoint and in qualification became the third fastest rider of the series with 20.67s. Behind him the competition was fierce and it was Sustrans Bike-It Officer Jason Falconer who took second place behind the dominant Reed.

In the female competition first-time roller-racer Sarah Mowlam from Bournemouth Fixed-Gear beat Helen Huggins of the generous local sponsors Rock'n'Road cycles. The event was supported by Southampton City Council.

Full results and photos here: http://www.rollapaluza.com/?p=997

Men:

1. Rob Reed 45.61(1000m)
2. Jason Falconer 51.22 (1000m)
3. Max Barrow 23.75 (500m)
4. Ollie Allan 23.82 (500m)

Women:

1. Sarah Mowlam 29.49
2. Helen Huggins 32.52
3. Viky Melish 32.52
4. Josie Young 32.64

If you'd like to know what it feels like to be a Rollapaluza competitor Guardian Bike blogger Peter Walker entered the London round of the National series and it features on the Guardian bike blog here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/audio/2010/mar/01/bike-podcast
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