Scottish cycling hero Graham Obree will once again grace the boards of the Manchester Velodrome in a special return to racing at the next Revolution on December 9th.
The 'Flying Scotsman' achieved legendary status through his track exploits in the 1990s when he twice smashed the world hour record and twice took the Individual Pursuit world title. Obree will now return for some competitive action in a feature two man 2km event where he will team up with Olympic Academy rider Ian Stannard.
“I'm really looking forward to it” commented Obree. “It's my off season but I've been out on my bike, keeping in shape so it will be good to get back on the track. It sounds like an exciting race and it will be interesting to team up with Ian Stannard. I raced against him the pursuit in the 2005 National Championships. That was the last time I was on the track so it is fitting that we will be racing together.”
By combining new British talent with some of the legends of track cycling the two up pursuit event is designed to provide a thrilling racing spectacle, “the event is set up to create a fascinating team duel” commented event promoter James Pope. “The track legends will start the pursuit and will peel off to leave the younger riders to fight it out for the line so there will be plenty of action.”
And the action won't be limited to just the pursuit for the Scottish star, “I'm coming down for a track meeting so I'll race a couple of other events such as the devil” said Obree. “I'll put on a bigger gear for that event, try to stay at the front to avoid the sprints and grit my teeth and go with the flow.”
“I'll also have a go at the Madison time trial” he continued. “The last time I raced the Madison was at the Bordeaux six with Tony Doyle so I'll make sure I get to the Velodrome early to practice the hand slings!”
The 41 year old Scot will be without the original 'Old Faithful'; the hand made bike that helped him break the hour record and achieve international fame. He will, however, bring a specially built replica that was ridden by Jonny Lee Miller in the making of his upcoming biopic, 'The Flying Scotsman'.
With the other team to be announced the two man pursuit will be one of the highlights of another action packed race programme.
Tickets for Revolution 15 can be purchased from www.cyclingrevolution.com or by calling 07005 942 579 or 0161 223 2244.
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