Upcoming Events
Thursday Night Lights - May 26Thursday Night Lights - June 2Introductory Session 2 - June 7 |
| Intro Track Class
Session 1: May 3, 10, 17, 24
Session 2: June 7, 14, 21, 28
Session 3: July 5, 12, 26, Aug. 2
Session 4: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
Women's Class: May 11, 18, 25, June 1
Licensed Rider's Class (open only to riders with USAC racing license): May 15, 22
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Race Report/News
May 19, 2011 Thursday Night Lights
Category 1/2 Field Sprints Hard on Opening NightA gorgeous evening greeted the crowd on the first night of Thursday Night Lights for 2011. A strong Category 1/2 field included many newly-upgraded racers. Their race card showcased the speed in the elite peloton. Riders contested a gear-select handicap race, miss & out and the first Penn Cycle Points Race of 2011. Penn Cycle Points RaceThe final cat 1/2 race was the 60-lap Penn Cycle Points Race (sprints every 10 laps). The 13 riders went off at a moderate pace. The first move came with 53 laps to go when Casper got a quick 30 meter gap. He held it for 2 laps but was caught in the sprint lap. Sprint points went to Krawczyk-Smith-Frye-Ferris in that order. Krawczyk and Kruse kept it hot after the sprint and took a quick 60 meter lead. Schueller led 3 other chasers in an unsuccessful attempt to bridge. On their way to lapping the field, Krawczyk held off Kruse to take the second sprint. Sean Vig (Speedfix) and Virta mopped up 3rd and 4th sprint points. Krawczyk and Kruse got their lap with 38 to go. Casper attacked with 36 to go shadowed by Virta but the field was together for the third sprint led out by Schueller. Kruse attacked but was outsprinted by Krawczyk. Virta and Vig again mopped up the 3rd-4th points. Things then slowed down a little while riders caught their breath. With 28 to go, Casper made his big move and no one followed. He stayed out alone for a long time. Virta tried to bridge with 16 to go but had to give it up. Casper took 1st place in two sprints by large margins. He finally lapped the field with 5 to go. The final sprint was taken by Krawczyk over Ferris, Virta, and Casper. In the final accounting, Krwaczyk, Casper, and Kruse had one lap on the others. Krawczyk's four sprint wins and Casper's two sprint wins (during his 23 lap solo effort to lap the field) were decisive, giving them 1st and 2nd for the race. Kruse took 3rd for the race, including 2nd place in three sprints, with Virta and Smith taking 4th-5th. Category 1/2 Omnium Results- 10 pts. Brandon Krawczyk, Grandstay
- 6 pts. Daniel Casper, Grandstay
- 5 pts. Chris Mehus, Bianchi/GP
- 4 pts. Derek Virta, Speed Fix Racing
- 4 pts. Andy Kruse, SpeedFix Racing
- 2 pts. Dan Schueller, Gopher Wheelmen
Read the full Category 1/2 race report here. See the full results here. |
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What's Happening
Learn to Race the Track
The Introduction to Track Cycling Class is designed for those riders 17 years old and over with little or no bike racing experience and experienced road riders new to the track.
Class Features
- Structured, progressive, hands-on experience in the skills and strategies required for track riding.
- Experience the fun and exhilaration of track cycling in a controlled atmosphere.
- Primary focus on learning the basic skills and proper techniques to ensure safe and efficient riding on the track.
- Participants instructed in position, drafting, acceleration, pedaling technique, steering vs turning, as well as proper track etiquette necessary for group riding and racing on the velodrome.
- Students exposed to the different types of races held at the velodrome.
Session two starts June 7.
Click here to learn more and see the schedule. |
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Racing 101
Keirin
The Keirin is a massed start sprint event of 2 km (8 laps) in length. During the first 5 1/2 laps the riders are paced by a "pacer" or motorcycle. Keirin races are extremely popular in Japan, where they are the object of heavy legalized gambling.
What to watch for: All the riders have the advantage of drafting as even the lead rider gets a draft from the motorcycle. Watch for riders to lean and bump each other as they vie for the best position to launch their sprint for the finish. Riders may move forward or back, and side to side but they may not pass the rear axel of the motor bike while it is on the track.
See the video of a Keirin race. |
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About Us
Contact Bob Williams at 763.785.5614 for more information about cycling at the velodrome. | |
