Three members of the Wattbike team were in Lichfield for the first Friday night Wattbike race of 2009. The temperature outside dropped to -5° (but inside in an almost unheated studio), the Lichfield riders energised the race room with a series of tightly fought races with the support of their friends and family. The organisers, Nigel Capewell and Phil Kelly, set up a range of races designed to give the riders a very competitive workout whatever the ability level.

28 riders took to their saddles in 3 waves on the 10 Wattbikes at the Leisure Centre. The race categories designed by organisers Nigel Capewell  and Phil Kelly reflected road and track cycling, with events including handicap races, team sprints and points races. These were run and displayed using the free Wattbike software onto the Centre wall giving spectators a chance to understand who was winning, losing and moving through the pack and cheer accordingly.

The 500m handicap was intensely fought and the closest of the night, as Phil and Nigel did their jobs well in ensuring that each rider was set the correct handicap and the finish was a nail biter. The devil race also tested the riders cunning as 1 rider was eliminated every 200m lap until just 3 remained to slog it out to the line.

On its first night the Wattbike Racing League was a resounding success, each rider competed in 6 races, and Nigel and Phil have been planning even more interpretations of races for the coming weeks. All the details on the event and the results can be found on the Lichfield City CC website www.lichfieldyouthcycling.co.uk/watt-bike-news.html as well as contact details for Nigel and Phil. Watch this space for more details in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Ben, Steve and Eddie who were present on the night for their hard work.