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Race Report/News
Hamilton Crowned MN Keirin Kisaki (Queen)
Linsey Hamilton (Synergy) dominated the MN State Women's Keirin Championship race, holding off the hard-charging Emma Bast (Speedfix Racing) and Terra James (Sweet n' Salty) for the victory. As the motorcycle paced the field early, riders jockeyed for position behind Hamilton who edged Jennifer Fischer (Synergy) for the lead spot. Hamilton immediately dropped the hammer as the motorcycle left the track. In an uncharacteristic move, she launched a 600 meter sprint, leading Bast and James away from the pack. The pair fought mightily to the finish with Bast edging James by a tire width for the silver medal behind Hamilton.
In the first race of the evening, 8 women contested a 10-lap scratch race. Bast and Hamilton attacked early, but were captured by a vigilant field. With 5 to go, Bast launched again, with Hamilton in hot pursuit. Both riders remained off the front with no draft as they pulled away from the field. Bast and her 50-meter lead secured the victory with Hamilton 2nd and James leading the pack in for 3rd.
The women closed their evening with a 30-lap scratch race. Megan Kelly (Omnium Racing) started the fight with an attack in the first lap. The first 10-laps saw plenty more fireworks as racers tested their opponents legs. With 16 to go, James made a substantive attack forcing Hamilton and Bast to respond. As the pair bridged to James, Bast launched a bid of her own, quickly gaining a 10-meter gap over her breakaway mates. Every lap for the next 9 laps, Bast doubled her gap, eventually lapping the field with 7 to go and catching Hamilton and James with 3 to go. At the bell, James and Bast accelerated with Bast narrowly defeating James, leaving Hamilton 3rd. |
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What's Happening
State Championship Run Continues
This is a busy week at the NSC Velodrome. Several state championships will be decided on Thursday and Saturday. On Thursday evening, the men's Category 4 / 5 racers contest their State Championship Points Race. On Saturday, a slate of State Champions will be crowned in individual and team timed events.
Click here for the Timed Events Schedule. |
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Racing 101
The Bike
Track bicycles have no brakes and only one gear. The gear is "fixed" and doesn't allow the rider to "freewheel" or coast. Riders apply backward pressure to the pedals to slow the bike. Riders can change the gear to suit the events they race. Since the track surface is very smooth, tires can weigh from 4-8 oz. and can be inflated to very high pressures - often as high as 180 psi. And because the track is steeply-banked, the chain ring and pedals are higher off the ground so they won't clip the track. |
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About Us
Contact Bob Williams at 763.785.5614 for more information about cycling at the velodrome. |
