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The Red Bull Minidrome, supported by Charge Bikes, took place on Saturday 15th Jan. Cyclists from Cities across Europe descended on York Hall in Bethnal Green, London. The venue, typically used for boxing matches, had the unmistakable scent of sweat, blood and adrenaline. It was sprawled with fixed-gear bikes, both track and freestyle.

Riders from different backgrounds would do battle on the worlds smallest velodrome, with laps taking less than 4 seconds. Generally riders with more experience in freestyle or mountain biking beat an all out track or road rider, proving you needed raw power, concentration and superb bike skill to hold on for 40 intense seconds.

The track, positioned central in the vast hall, was surrounded by cheering fans, the atmosphere ecstatic. 4 loud beeping noises and the riders were off. The course had never been ridden before so there was no chance of any advantages, each rider for themselves, the crowd spurring the riders to go faster on each lap.

Crashes were common, thankfully some well placed safety mats and hazard tape ensured that there where no injuries. Just over a hundred brave souls were whittled down to 32, based on the quickest 10 laps of the track. The 32 riders then raced a 2-up pursuit format to eliminate each other, either over a full 10 laps or to coming within a bike's length of the competitor.

Charge and Surface riders filled the top 5, Juliet was first to get the number 1 spot, then Richard Cunynghame took it off her. At the end of qualifying Mongoose/ Surface rider Chris Akrigg was fastest, Cunny was 3rd and Neil held 5th. Juliet was just outside the top ten but qualified easily.

Juliet was fast, and we were hoping to see her progress into the finals, but unfortunately she was drawn in the next round against Chris, where she was eliminated by his frankly blistering pace. Cunny and Neil were dispatching riders throughout their rounds, but Cunny fell foul of the track and didn't get through to the final 8. It was just down to Neil and Chris to do us proud, and everybody must have had their money on Akrigg for the win by now. Neil raced against the eventual finalist, Christian, and lost by a hair's breadth after the pursuit went the whole 10 laps, close stuff!

Chris dominated all rounds and was untouchable, smashing the Minidrome world records. Chris won all his rounds within a few laps of starting, his experience of racing showed and his chain snapping power left all remaining riders dreading a duel with him. The final came down to Surface rider Akrigg on his Mongoose Maurice against Christian from Cologne, Germany on a Charge Plug. Chris caught Christian within a few laps and leapt off the track to celebrate.

Chris' 2nd Red Bull event win again demonstrates his skills across any type of bike, They both won custom coloured Charge Plug frames and a snazzy trophy from Red Bull. We would like to say a big thanks to Red Bull for asking us to be part of such a great spectacle. It was a brilliant event and there is a rumour that there will be more, so watch this space....