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Revolution Series by Paolo Martelli

The real reason for our trip to Manchester is much less professional than it looks ha, ha. A couple of months ago we decided together (Genesis Cycling Team and I) go to see a event of the Revolution Series, namely that of Manchester which was in late November.

A couple of weeks before the event I wrote the organization to request a press pass for taking pictures, and the truth is that they were very nice, just get to Manchester and ask about it, they had already my wrist band; to tour the stadium smoothly.

Revolution Series is a set of track cycling tests held in major cities in the UK where champions come together to give sight in what, in the end, no longer a true championship, scoring and where every year there is a final winner and a winning team.

I have attended many velodrome races but really, it was the first time, a stadium completely crowded, it was like watching a Barça match at Camp Nou, but no football, no players and no Camp Nou, I mean the best of the best, he, he. Many adrenaline and goosebumps, racers competed really, was not just a show for the public.

Track Cycling is the basis of everything, always schools have started cycling at the velodrome, these tests are like watching a bit where cycling is born, developed and improved.

The races began about 12 pm with the playoffs in each category, to 22:30 with final. There were all kinds of tests: sprint, endurance, madison, keirin, elimination … The test that surprised me a lot was the one who was to make the slowest lap, where the racer had to demonstrate his great technical skills on the bike having to remain the position on the bike without falling awaiting the start of the lap.

To be able to be next to the best track riders in the world is wonderful and intense, see how they easily move huge gear ratios to reach speeds of 70 km / h, is amazing. Among the most famous sprinters we could see Francois Pervis, Juan Peralta, Quentin Lafargue and Maximilian Levy and by the endurance category, Luke Rowe, Peter Kennaugh, Nico Hesslich, Ed Clancy, Scott Law.

The most impressed team, from my point of view, was the Sky Team. You could realize with every move on the bike or between them that they had a lot of fun during the tests; it was something so prepared that seemed easier than walk. These athletes were able to finish the endurance test of 120 laps (30 km) with an average speed of 51.6 km / h, quite impressive.

From a photographic point of view is quite difficult to work in a velodrome. The views are already known and you cannot invent so much … so I had to find different positions and let the imagination fly he, he. Finally, and despite that, I was quite pleased of the end result.

If you have occasion to go, don’t doubt! It is a great experience and gives you a desire to pedal amazing!

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