Development Squad rider gained selection to ride the internatioal Revolution Track meeting at Manchester velodrome at the end of February. Here is Sara's account of the experience.

Revolutions.

No absolute clue what's going on around me it's so chaotic. I soon found out that I was riding for team tempo which was mainly made up of south east riders; and that I was racing against youth and junior girls. There were stewards pretty much everywhere asking to see your wrist band.

The first race of the day was the Madison championships; I was paired with Bethany Haywood (Welwyn Wheelers.) Although we only got time for a few rough changes in the track warm up, I felt confident riding with her as I had done before at a talent team RSR session (regional school of racing.) I went into the race feeling quite nervous being as the stands were pretty much full up by now. We got into a decent break about halfway through but narrowly missed out on points. The race started to get more edgy as the points got closer together. Missing two changes optionally unfortunately cost us a few places in the end but we rolled in 6th place.

Evening races – Start of the Revolutions.

Feeling more confident after having raced once and relaxed during the break. As the stands filled up this time round I was really excited and I couldn't wait to get back on the track. The Olympians rolled in and casually set up base in their appointed teams. It felt weird sitting down with Victoria Pendleton, Andy Tennant and Ed Clancy having a casual chat! The first of my races was a 6 lap dash, I tried sitting on a wheel midway up the bunch but it's hard not knowing who or when if anyone will sprint. The pace stayed steady till about two laps to go, when an attack went the group split up immediately. I hung desperately on to the front group and finished about halfway up the bunch in roughly 14th place.

Warming up and down almost as a whole team, on the rollers, felt pretty good but it felt odd sitting down doing nothing being as they did everything for us.

The next race is my favourite, the devil. I felt confident that I could place well although up against the likes of Lucy Garner and Hannah Barnes! The bunch rolled off quickly and I was soon aware I would never get to my familiar spot at the front, I tried my luck rolling over the top again and again escaping being out by a few cm’s each time. As the group got smaller the pace kept getting higher and soon enough the race was over for me finishing in a very respectable 7th place earning a good few points for our team, pleasing the team managers and moving us up in the rankings.  
Now with a long break till our next race we went to see friends and family but got bombarded with small children throwing paper and pens at us asking for our autograph, on the way, it felt so unrealistic! 
The last race was the scratch. I felt so tired already and could tell I wouldn’t be able to place too highly. The race started quickly, with an attack going in the first 10 laps. The pace varied throughout the race as attacks were pulled back! I managed to stay near the front of the main bunch until the last two laps, when I unfortunately went straight out the back.

Overall It was a really good day, I was happy with my performance and glad to be part of the team.