12.15.2010
10.01.2010
9.17.2010
6.16.2010
Testarossa Velodrome Challenge Night #2
At this point I’m sure your ready for some non-track related posts. Let me get this out of my system and then I will move onto important topics such as which million dollar bike won up at Sattely, or the injustice of the LARPD CX series being discontinued.Overall the weekend was dominated by Jame Carney. Carney said he was feeling sluggish going into Saturday night but ended up “Riding like a swan.” To be frank, I don’t think that the expression was the most masculine way to describe a series of ass kickings Carney laid down on the NorCal (and West Coast for that matter) track community. Ben Jacques Mayne even showed up to give it a go and Carney swooped both the Scratch race and Points race from Hellyer’s BMOC. BJM does win for best TVC Twitter post… here is the quote, not sure how Twitter copyrights work so here it goes, “Dave McCook for the win if there’s any justice in the world!” you don’t hear that too much…
There were additionally dominant performances from the other T-Town/ADT regulars in attendance Laura McCaughey, David Espinoza, and Jimmy Watkins. It was enough to give Hellyer an inferiority complex. Sure, I guess our big guns (aside from BJM who probably did a 100 mile ride in the AM to prep for NVGP) like Shelly Evans and Daniel Holloway are out of town being all pro and stuff, but the T Town domination of the elite events sure made it clear that the next generation of Hellyer-ites need to step up. If they don’t then I’m either going to have to step up my psychological warfare against T Town or move to a different track.
Luckily we saw a few standout performances on Saturday that give one hope. Beth Newell lived up to her potential and lost a narrow battle in the Miss and Out (2nd) and Scratch Race (3rd) to get her on the top steps of the podium. Pete Billington put himself on the national map with a third place in the Sprints against much more seasoned competition. And the biggest pull of the night has to be Daniel Farinha who rode a fantastic points race, with junior gearing i might add, to get third place against a top notch field filled with pro’s, journeymen and the various ronin of west coast tracks. Farinha just became the Luke Skywalker of Hellyer Velodrome… let’s hope he’s got another year of high school before college ruins him.
(UPDATE: Word on the street is Farinha graduated on Friday! Hope you pick a college with a good cycling program!) Even though they weren’t wins each one of these riders put it down and moved up a notch with their performances.
Next up at the track… More crazy Friday Nite Fights on June 25. Wear a superhero costume and get a free beer or something.
Originally published in Norcalcyclingnews.com
6.14.2010
Testarossa Velodrome Challenge Night #1
It was a warm day down at Hellyer but the racing gods looked down kindly at us visiting the temple today and slowed the wind down to a soft tropical breeze as the racing started. There was plenty of drink and food flowing, and Hernado was in fine form as he found "The Voice" to keep the crowd entertained and buzzing. Here are a few highlights that stood out in my mind.
Montano Velo Keirin - Jimmy Watkins showed up with his Felt team entourage and just schooled the field in the Finale, finishing with such a lead that he was able to easily raise his arms in a victory salut. The real revelation of the race was Sam Milroy who just dismantled his heat with a win about about 10 meters and then hung in the Finale to finish third. Sam may have just moved up from being a local hot shot to West Coast phenom.
Jame Carney - I dunno if he is smarter, fitter, or just luckier but Carney really showed the field that he is a master tonight. Carney won his Keirin heat, won the Miss and Out and then lapped the field in the Madison. You might have well called it "Track School By Jame Carney" out there.
SportVelo Women' Points Race - This was easily the most exciting race to watch. Shelly Evans was a marked woman so team mate Ruth Winder cleverly took the first sprint before Hanan Alves-Hyde launched herself into what looked like a suicide attack. Hanan got a half a lap as the field waited for a reaction but nothing came - all eyes stayed on Evans who was content to play her own game of poker. Hanan dug for the next ten laps hanging on with a quarter to half a lap lead to win the sprint but she held a tenuous lead. Vanderkitten Reither bridged whcih was enough to give Hanan a break and lap the field before the last sprint. A great gamble and tactical race by Hanan who has been on the comeback trail for most of the year. Evans won the last sprint putting her in third place making a great pay day for the Peanut Butter riders.
Originally published with photos in Norcalcyclingnews.com
Montano Velo Keirin - Jimmy Watkins showed up with his Felt team entourage and just schooled the field in the Finale, finishing with such a lead that he was able to easily raise his arms in a victory salut. The real revelation of the race was Sam Milroy who just dismantled his heat with a win about about 10 meters and then hung in the Finale to finish third. Sam may have just moved up from being a local hot shot to West Coast phenom.
Jame Carney - I dunno if he is smarter, fitter, or just luckier but Carney really showed the field that he is a master tonight. Carney won his Keirin heat, won the Miss and Out and then lapped the field in the Madison. You might have well called it "Track School By Jame Carney" out there.
SportVelo Women' Points Race - This was easily the most exciting race to watch. Shelly Evans was a marked woman so team mate Ruth Winder cleverly took the first sprint before Hanan Alves-Hyde launched herself into what looked like a suicide attack. Hanan got a half a lap as the field waited for a reaction but nothing came - all eyes stayed on Evans who was content to play her own game of poker. Hanan dug for the next ten laps hanging on with a quarter to half a lap lead to win the sprint but she held a tenuous lead. Vanderkitten Reither bridged whcih was enough to give Hanan a break and lap the field before the last sprint. A great gamble and tactical race by Hanan who has been on the comeback trail for most of the year. Evans won the last sprint putting her in third place making a great pay day for the Peanut Butter riders.
Originally published with photos in Norcalcyclingnews.com
6.10.2010
Must See TVC
There are a handful of must see cycling events in the bay area
1. The San Francisco Twilight Crit (Bring it back!)
2. The San Rafael Twilight Crit (July 10!)
3. The Pilarcitos night time cross race (A little taste of awesome)
4. The Testarossa Velodrome Challenge 6 PM Fri June 11 & Sat June 12
Arguably the TVC is the best bang for your buck - while parking at Hellyer Velodrome costs $6 and you are best served if you take the carpool lane down there are distinct advantages. The beer is free and plentiful and the prize money usually attracts a top flight field. t is worth the drive to watch pro’s, Olympians, and world champions square off against each other on 335 meters of concrete. The race is so big it draws the track specialists from not just NorCal but around the globe. Here is a quick primer to help you keep score.
The Locals
Shelly Evans - Not content to be just one of the best in NorCal Evans moved onto the world stage last year with huge performances on both the track and road. Evans has shifted her focus from the track to the road since the UCI has taken a hatchet to the track endurance program and her specialty the points race. Expect Evans to show up one night before taking off for Nature Valley Grand Prix and the Giro.
Dave McCook - McCook is a former pro, multiple national champion, and local legend. He’s a fierce competitor when ever he’s racing and is always fun to watch when there is money on the line.
Beth Newell - She sprints, she climbs, she writes! Newell does it all and after a successful spring campaign on the road is putting the rest of her energy this year toward the track. She’s out for some cash this weekend, needs a new washer or something, so keep an eye on the “Bell with Wing.”
Others to watch: Sam Milroy, Matt Talbott
The Sprinters
Jimmy Watkins - Watkins is currently one of America’s best sprinters having won all the big events at nationals in 2008. He’s a full time fire fighter making him a model for all cyclists with a day job and passion for their sport. Watkins currently holds the Hellyer record for the flying 200 clocking10.84 last year.
Gio Rey - Gio is a local boy currently riding for UCI Track outfit out of Colorado called Black Dog Cycling. Gio is a ronin of the sprinter set having traveled across the country and world trying to learn the best techniques to out smart stronger rivals. Gio’s come close a few times in the keirin, this may be his year.
Steve Peleaz - He’s skinny, tall, and known for spouting off more pop philosophy than Dr. Phil. Peleaz has spent some time on the World Cup circuit riding for the Philippines so he knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. He’s got the speed and the guts to make it in any type of track race, and is hungry after a narrow loss to big man Gideon Massie last year in the Keirin.
Others to watch: Pete Billington
The Interlopers
Jame Carney - Carney is a legend in track circles. Some say he’s never lost a Miss and Out on American soil. He’s experienced, cagey, and fast. If the A-Team was being redmade from cyclists he’d be your Hannibal. Carney knows the rule book and isn’t afraid of going toe to toe with the officials as well as riders if it means getting the big win. Watching Carney and McCook go at it will be a battle for the ages.
Laura McCaughey - Hailing from Australia - McCaughey makes T-Town her home in the summer. Her favorite event is the keirin and last year she was relegated for impeding Carri Higgins in the final sprint. McCaughey rebounded and won the sprint event the next day, so inside line is she’s a good bet for the sprint events. Smart money is on McCaughey for the scratch race if Olds doesn’t show up
Others to watch: TJ Mathieson , Jen Triplett, Tela Crane, Jen Featheringill
The Old and Young Folk
Daniel Farinha - Farinha has been scaring the crap out of Hellyer-ites with his riding this year. He’s super fast and still riding Junior gears - what’s going to happen when he gears up? If this boy can hang with the big gears expect him to be in the money.
Larry Nolan - When god made man he realized he made some mistakes so he went back and made what ever Larry is. In addition to be a masters world champion and world record holder Larry runs a Hellyer race series and coaches the Specialized juniors team. The man is LEGEND. And he’s fast.
Pat Briggs - Briggs is a Hellyer stalwart and has been riding his guts out in support of the fledgling Yahoo! Cycling team. The experiment has appears to be succeeding as they dominate the local scene and have started making their mark on some national level races. Look for Briggs to break out a big race or two now that he can bust a cap on his own.
Others to watch: Ruth Winder, Tom Fahey, Doug Hall
1. The San Francisco Twilight Crit (Bring it back!)
2. The San Rafael Twilight Crit (July 10!)
3. The Pilarcitos night time cross race (A little taste of awesome)
4. The Testarossa Velodrome Challenge 6 PM Fri June 11 & Sat June 12
Arguably the TVC is the best bang for your buck - while parking at Hellyer Velodrome costs $6 and you are best served if you take the carpool lane down there are distinct advantages. The beer is free and plentiful and the prize money usually attracts a top flight field. t is worth the drive to watch pro’s, Olympians, and world champions square off against each other on 335 meters of concrete. The race is so big it draws the track specialists from not just NorCal but around the globe. Here is a quick primer to help you keep score.
The Locals
Shelly Evans - Not content to be just one of the best in NorCal Evans moved onto the world stage last year with huge performances on both the track and road. Evans has shifted her focus from the track to the road since the UCI has taken a hatchet to the track endurance program and her specialty the points race. Expect Evans to show up one night before taking off for Nature Valley Grand Prix and the Giro.
Dave McCook - McCook is a former pro, multiple national champion, and local legend. He’s a fierce competitor when ever he’s racing and is always fun to watch when there is money on the line.
Beth Newell - She sprints, she climbs, she writes! Newell does it all and after a successful spring campaign on the road is putting the rest of her energy this year toward the track. She’s out for some cash this weekend, needs a new washer or something, so keep an eye on the “Bell with Wing.”
Others to watch: Sam Milroy, Matt Talbott
The Sprinters
Jimmy Watkins - Watkins is currently one of America’s best sprinters having won all the big events at nationals in 2008. He’s a full time fire fighter making him a model for all cyclists with a day job and passion for their sport. Watkins currently holds the Hellyer record for the flying 200 clocking10.84 last year.
Gio Rey - Gio is a local boy currently riding for UCI Track outfit out of Colorado called Black Dog Cycling. Gio is a ronin of the sprinter set having traveled across the country and world trying to learn the best techniques to out smart stronger rivals. Gio’s come close a few times in the keirin, this may be his year.
Steve Peleaz - He’s skinny, tall, and known for spouting off more pop philosophy than Dr. Phil. Peleaz has spent some time on the World Cup circuit riding for the Philippines so he knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. He’s got the speed and the guts to make it in any type of track race, and is hungry after a narrow loss to big man Gideon Massie last year in the Keirin.
Others to watch: Pete Billington
The Interlopers
Jame Carney - Carney is a legend in track circles. Some say he’s never lost a Miss and Out on American soil. He’s experienced, cagey, and fast. If the A-Team was being redmade from cyclists he’d be your Hannibal. Carney knows the rule book and isn’t afraid of going toe to toe with the officials as well as riders if it means getting the big win. Watching Carney and McCook go at it will be a battle for the ages.
Laura McCaughey - Hailing from Australia - McCaughey makes T-Town her home in the summer. Her favorite event is the keirin and last year she was relegated for impeding Carri Higgins in the final sprint. McCaughey rebounded and won the sprint event the next day, so inside line is she’s a good bet for the sprint events. Smart money is on McCaughey for the scratch race if Olds doesn’t show up
Others to watch: TJ Mathieson , Jen Triplett, Tela Crane, Jen Featheringill
The Old and Young Folk
Daniel Farinha - Farinha has been scaring the crap out of Hellyer-ites with his riding this year. He’s super fast and still riding Junior gears - what’s going to happen when he gears up? If this boy can hang with the big gears expect him to be in the money.
Larry Nolan - When god made man he realized he made some mistakes so he went back and made what ever Larry is. In addition to be a masters world champion and world record holder Larry runs a Hellyer race series and coaches the Specialized juniors team. The man is LEGEND. And he’s fast.
Pat Briggs - Briggs is a Hellyer stalwart and has been riding his guts out in support of the fledgling Yahoo! Cycling team. The experiment has appears to be succeeding as they dominate the local scene and have started making their mark on some national level races. Look for Briggs to break out a big race or two now that he can bust a cap on his own.
Others to watch: Ruth Winder, Tom Fahey, Doug Hall
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)