| Intro Track Class
Session 4: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
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Race Report/News
On the second-to-last night of racing, mid-season newcomers Alex Matson (Omnium) and Karl Schuchard (unattached) remained a dominant force amid the category 4/5 field. Andrei Lebedev (unattached) continued to show determination. And, in his first week racing Thursday Night Lights, Ryan Krug (Synergy) put some pressure on his competitors and found himself a place in the omnium.
The night kicked off with a feisty 10-lap Scratch race. After Jeff Burmeister (Peace Coffee) ticked up the pace and created space between himself and the field, Krug and Matson chased him down with Schuchard and Lebedev close behind. Matson, Schuchard and Lebedev steadily gained distance from the field until the final bell when Schuchard rose from the saddle, dove for the sprinter's lane and cinched the win by a bike length. In an outcome only the judges could call, Matson narrowly outsprinted Lebedev for second.
From the first sprint, Abby Ruess (SPBRC) maintained a forceful presence in the Miss & Out. After duking it out with Krug to remain a contender early in the race, she avoided elimination with several savvy moves. Lebedev and Burmeister took turns setting the pace while Matson tucked himself safely into the pack. After outsprinting Burmeister, Ruess herself was eliminated, leaving Lebedev and Matson for the final round. Matson got into Lebedev's slipstream before leaping over him and punching it in for the win.
In the final contest, a 40-lap Points race, Schuchard, Matson, Lebedev and Krug took control. The foursome worked together through much of the race to secure the coveted sprint points. Schuchard managed to win each sprint and held a comfortable distance at the final bell.
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What's Happening
Novelty Night Closes Season on Thursday
Thursday, September 8 marks the finale of the 2011 Thursday Night Lights racing season at the NSC Velodrome. We've had a great season of racing - and no rainouts!
Thursday's festivities will include retro jerseys on many racers, novelty races to challenge even the savviest racers and specials at the Track Shack. It'll be a perfect night to see some great racing and pick up those souvenir t-shirts and hoodies you've been wanting all season.
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Racing 101
Snowball
The Snowball is a progressive points race in which each sprint on the designated sprint laps is worth progressively more points; the points awarded "Snowball."
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Rider to Watch
Pat Whelan
Track racing has taken Pat Whelan around the world, allowed him to meet people and make lifelong friends, and given him the opportunity help others live their dreams. The owner and operator of PJW Automotive also says the sport has been a way to live out his own dreams of being a competitive racer - something he says couldn't afford in the car world.
Pat first met the NSC velodrome at a spinning class outing in 2003. He enjoyed it so much that he signed up for a spring class in 2005 and started racing that fall, at age 55. He'd never raced a bike before then; after all, he'd purchased his first bike at 40. Now, at age 62, Pat has competed in national and world events at Colorado Springs, Colo.; Syndney, Australia; Frisco, Texas; Sangahlos, Portugal; and Trexlertown, Pa.
At home in Blaine, he's been a tremendous asset to the track, encouraging his fellow riders and contributing to the program in many ways. Pat's advice to others interested in track racing - no matter their age: Realize that you can do this kind of stuff, and allow yourself to take the chance. Try to assess how competitive you are compared to others that you will race with, and keep those goals in mind as you compete. Yes, it's about racing others but really it's about racing against your own goals and overcoming the hardships and challenges to try and do well. Be willing to be a sponge and learn from all the racers around you, both younger and older. Don't let your ego get in the way of learning and sharing what you know so we all can be safer and faster and have more fun racing.
At the 2011 Masters Track National Championships in T-Town, Pat qualified 4th in his age group for the Sprint Championships, then finished 3rd overall in the Match Sprints. After spending hundreds of hours training and focusing on those events for the past two years, he says he is happy to see the rewards. He calls his proudest track-racing accomplishment to date finishing 6th last year at the UCI Track Cycling Masters World Championships in a 40-lap Points Race-his best Worlds competition to date.
This October, many will be cheering Pat on from afar as he competes at Worlds in Manchester, UK. His events include sprints, points race, 500 TT, scratch race and possibly a team sprint with Dan Schueller and Mark Stewart.
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About Us
Contact Bob Williams at 763.785.5614 for more information about cycling at the velodrome. | |
