| Upcoming Events
Developmental Time Trials - July 6Thursday Night Lights - July 7Women's Intro Track Class - July 13 |
| 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
High temps mean high speed in Cat 4/5 races
Summer weather finally came, with a vengeance, to the NSC Velodrome Thursday, with high humidity and temperatures in the 90's rather than the 50's and 60's of recent weeks.
The 1st Cat 4/5 race, a 10-lap scratch race, started at a moderate pace while riders got the feel of the track, the weather, and the competition. With 6 to go Erin Young (Angry Catfish) took a flyer but was reeled in by Josh Kruck (Balance), Bryan Gerding (MCT/Freewheel), and Andrei Lebedev (unattached). At the bell, Innokenty Zavyalov (Omnium) attacked and held the field off to the line. Mike Pribble (Silver Cycling) grabbed 2nd followed by Dan Farnham (Bianchi/GP) and Young.
The 2nd Cat 4/5 race was an unknown distance scratch race. Four riders took off early anticipating a quick race but, with no gun, gave it up after a few laps. At lap 9, Kevin Lennon (MCT/Freewheel) cranked up the pace, getting a 5 meter gap. Kruck and Young bridged and at lap 11 Kruck attacked the pair shortly before the gun signaling 1½ to go. That brought the frenzy from everyone. In the last lap Gerding and Zavyalov sprinted through for 1st and 2nd leaving Kruck and Young with 3rd and 4th.
Eleven riders contested a 40-lap scratch race. Lennon leaped at the gun. Zavyalov and two other riders quickly bridged to form a group of 4 but they got no more than a 30 meter gap and were caught after 2 laps. The field stayed together at moderate pace until, with 28 laps to go, the trio of Zavyalov, Kruck, and Gerding slipped off the front and worked well together to finally lap the field with 20 laps to go. Attrition due to heat and the fast pace whittled the field to 7 riders with 10 laps to go. With 6 to go, Gerding shattered the field. Lennon attacked with 4 laps to go and got a 40 meter gap over a group of 5 which held to the end of the race. Since he was lapped by three riders, first across the finish line gave him 4th place for the race. Gerding, Zavyalov and Kruck were racing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. At the bell, Gerding attacked with Zavyalov quickly following. They were shoulder to shoulder the last lap with Zavyalov besting Gerding in the last 100 meters, with Kruck bringing in the chasers.
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What's Happening
Malarski, McGoldrick competing in Jr. National Championship
Two Twin Cities junior cyclists will represent Minnesota at their first Junior National Track Cycling Championships July 6-10 in Frisco, TX. Anya Malarski of St. Paul and Valerie McGoldrick of Deephaven will face the top junior cyclists in the US.
Malarski, a 6th Grade student at Laura Jeffrey Academy, is no stranger to national competition, having placed 5th at the 2010 Junior National Cyclocross Championships. She has been bicycle racing since 2006 and won 17 MN races in 2010, including the MN State Cyclocross Championship. Malarski will compete in the Omnium in the 10-12 age group at the Junior National Track Cycling Championships.
McGoldrick, a freshman at Minnetonka High School, started racing in 2008. She is the two-time reigning MN State Cyclocross Champion in her age group. McGoldrick will compete in the Omnium events in the 13-14 age group at the Junior National Track Cycling Championships.
Both girls belong to the MN Junior Racing Club |
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Racing 101
Miss and Out
The Miss and Out or "Devil take the hindmost" is an elimination race in which the last rider across the finish line every other lap is withdrawn from the race. The tension builds lap after lap as the riders fight for position at the back of the pack. One by one the field is whittled down to the final three riders who then sprint for first second and third place.
What to watch for: Watch for crowding at the rear of the pack as riders attempt to move forward to avoid elimination at the line. Some riders will purposely ride at the back to "play the devil" by sprinting at the last second to pass the other riders. Later in the race, the field is smaller but often more tired and the ability to sprint fast is important. |
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About Us
Contact Bob Williams at 763.785.5614 for more information about cycling at the velodrome. | |
