| Intro Track Class
Session 4: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
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Race Report/News
Racers Entertain Season's Biggest Crowd
With the USA Cup Youth Soccer Tournament in full swing, several curious attendees joined the usual TNL enthusiasts for PUMA Night.
A few lucky racers and fans pedaled away with some PUMA bikes and several received swag. Everyone was treated to a nail-biting state Keirin final, which saw the cat 1/2 field's fiercest, fastest riders wind up behind the motor and dash for the championship title. Brandon Krawczyk took first, followed by Chris Ferris, Mike Hall, Andy Kruse and Tom Hagerty.
The cat 4/5 field looked sharp and kept the competition interesting. Twelve racers headed to the boards for the Coldstone Warmup, a 10-lap Point a Lap. Fred Mills (MCT/Freewheel) and Jeff Ingam (Gopher Wheelmen) stole the show. With the field lagging far behind, a neck-and-neck two-man race played out. Ingam gained about 20 meters on Mills with two laps to go, securing his win.
In the Miss & Out, Andrei Lebedev played the devil, deftly maneuvering to pick off riders at the last possible second. In a mid-race move that resembled sibling rivalry - or just good racing - Megan Kelly (Omnium) surged ahead, but her brother Neal ultimately snuck up track to cause her elimination. Lebedev continued his role until only he, Mills, Ingam and Jeff Burmeister (Birchwood) remained. With Lebedev and Burmeister ejected from the race, Mills and Ingam engaged in a match sprint for the finish. It was Mills, who recently returned from a shoulder injury, who had the legs to hold on for the win.
A 40-lap Scratch race concluded the cat 4/5 events. The field held together for half the race until Lebedev, Ingam, Mills, Burmeister, Dan Farnham (Bianchi/GP) and Boyd Hanson (Behind Bars/LGR) broke away. With 17 to go, Farnham dropped from the lead group, which had gained half a lap on the chasers. After lapping the field with 14 remaining, Mills upped the pace only to see Hanson later respond with his own attack and pull ahead 30 m with 4 to go. In the bell lap, Mills, Ingam and Lebedev chased him down, but Hanson retained the lead.
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What's Happening
Buca night! Win dinner for four on the Party Deck!
You'll want to be sure to attend this Thursday's racing. Buca will be on-site with tasty samples - pasta and desserts! Best of all, it's FREE! Of course, if you stick around for the Buca Blaster, you just might win a chance to get your hands on some more of their yummy food.
Buca will also be serving dinner on the party deck for 4 lucky fans. Come early to get your name in the drawing for the chance to win the best seats in the house - and a great dinner from Buca. |
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Rider To Watch
Bianca Bergman - Texas Roadhouse
On Thursday nights, NSC Velodrome spectators may only know the racers for their kits and abilities. Yet, these amateur athletes represent quite an assortment of professions and hobbies. A few have already reached the top levels of another sport. Take Bianca Bergman.
A member of the Romanian National Speed Skating team until 2008, Bianca hung up her skates after moving to the United States. She began watching her husband, Texas Roadhouse teammate Adam Bergman, at the velodrome. He encouraged her to move from the bleachers to the boards, and she began racing in 2009.
She instantly added depth to the women's field with her strength and speed. While she enjoys the Thursday Night Lights atmosphere and has a good time regardless of results, Bianca calls the Tempo her favorite race. When she lines up at the rail, her is philosophy simple: Keep a positive attitude and give 100 percent.
Like many velodrome staples, you can spot Bianca at road, cyclocross and even mountain bike races. The accomplishments she's most proud of to-date are top 10 finishes at Tour of America's Dairyland in 2009 and 2010, Superweek International Cycling Classic in 2009 and 2010, and Tour of Lawrence in 2010 and 2011-including a podium finish.
For 2011, however, she says her main goal is to race the best she can in every race-on road, track or cyclocross and to have fun, of course.
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About Us
Contact Bob Williams at 763.785.5614 for more information about cycling at the velodrome. | |
