Last season’s runners-up Rudy Project Racing avenged their Glasgow heartbreak of the previous series by storming to the top of the overall Revolution Series rankings at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Saturday.
The German team were beaten to the overall title in the final race of the 2012/13 season, at the same venue, in February but Nico Hesslich and Marcel Kalz ensured the team head into the New Year in pole position this time around, with three events remaining.
The duo set a blistering time in the one kilometre madison time trial to take first place, while Kalz also won the scratch race and finished second in the UCI points race and Hesslich was runner-up in the flying lap.
Scottish fans also had plenty to cheer however, with Ross Edgar winning the flying lap in 13.836 seconds – 0.014” faster than Hesslich – and Callum Skinner beating Germany’s Robert Kanter in the UCI sprint final.
Both sessions were preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Clutha helicopter crash on Friday evening.
Sir Chris Hoy was in attendance throughout the day as the Scottish legend watched proceedings alongside launching his HOY Bikes track machine – the Fiorenzuola.
Jake Ragan (Champion System/Club Roost RT) started proceedings in the Elite Championship, dominating throughout to earn victory in the points race.
Backed by a strong support ride from Hesslich, Kalz took second for Rudy Project, with Wim Stroetinga (Telegraph All Stars) finishing third.
After Edgar earned victory in front of his home fans in the flying lap, it was the Netherlands’ Jesper Asselman (Madison-Genesis) celebrating in the elimination race, beating HMT-Sportscover’s Scott Jacob and Austrian team-mate Andreas Muller.
Kalz and Hesslich’s blistering madison ride saw them beat second-placed WD40 duo Chris Latham and Lucas Destang by almost three seconds, and Hesslich claimed on Twitter they will now target Hoy and Arnaud Tournant’s world record of 54.549” in the new year.
After Kalz’s victory in the scratch race, Rudy Project finished on 78 points overall, seven points clear of previous leaders Telegraph All Stars.
Consistent rides by Germain Burton and Scott Davies kept Team Sky in third place on 67 points, while defending champions Rapha Condor JLT are currently in fourth on 64.
Revolution will now return in the New Year, as the riders head back to Manchester on Saturday January 4.
