Last night the iconic Bellville Velodrome staged its final international track cycling event before the track is demolished to make way for a new indoor arena with 10 000 extra seats. Teams from Belgium, Switzerland, a Great Britain invitational side, South Africa and the SA Federation lined up in front of a packed house for a night simply billed as “one more lap”.
The atmosphere was electric. Thousands of spectators – young and old – filled the stands, cheering and blasting air horns as the racing unfolded. South African rider Gustav Roller produced a gutsy ride in the elimination race to finish third behind two Swiss riders, drawing huge support from the home crowd.
The 1 500 m was blisteringly fast. A Belgian rider stopped the clock in 1:32 to set a new South African record, with Ethan Kulsen (SA national squad) second and James Swart (SA Federation) third. European strength was even clearer in the madison, where Belgium claimed first and second and Switzerland took third. Great Britain won the match sprint ahead of Daniel le Roux (SA) and Belgium, while Switzerland claimed the keirin title.
The evening closed with the 10 km race. Before the riders rolled out, a specially written farewell song was played and many in the crowd were visibly moved. The race itself then exploded into life to the strains of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.
Organiser Chris Willemse showed once again that South Africa can successfully host major track events. The large number of children in attendance was especially heartening – the kind of experience that helps build a future generation of riders. At 34 years old, the Bellville track delivered one final, memorable night.
Belgium finished first overall, followed by Switzerland and Great Britain. Yet the lasting image will be of South African riders in national colours racing in front of a passionate home crowd. For many youngsters seeing track cycling live for the first time, a spark may well have been lit. One thing is certain: it was a show, and the people of Cape Town had a night to remember.
