After a few weeks of sketchy weather, a gorgeous evening sun shone on the Velodrome last Thursday.  The beautiful evening drew the largest crowd of the season to see some great racing in all categories.  Fifty racers rolled to the line in our four categories, including a strong field of 10 women.

Sponsored Race Feature
Art Jersey Queen of the Sprints - Keirin
The season-long Art Jersey Queen of the Sprints competition in the women's peloton continued last week with a Keirin. Two preliminary heats pared the field to six riders. In the final, Linsey Hamilton (Synergy) drew the pole position.  She dutifully took the motor and rode comfortably in the slipstream.  The early laps were less relaxed behind her, though.  Terra James (Behind Bars/LGR), Emma Bast (Bianchi/GP) and Beth Engwis (Team Kenda) jockeyed for the spot on Hamilton's wheel.  Sensing the aggressive sprinters behind her, Hamilton steadily upped the pace as the lap count dwindled.  At the bell, Hamilton launched her sprint.  Her long effort forced the other women to expend valuable energy earlier than they would have liked.  The tactic succeeded as Hamilton took the win, followed by James, Bast and Engwis.

Art Jersey Queen of the Sprints standings
(through three events)
Linsey Hamilton - 8 pts
Terra James - 7 pts
Elena Dorr - 5 pts (tie)
Sandy Gress - 5 pts (tie)

Click here for the full race report...