I heard from Quinny over the past few days and she's keeping me updated.
The entire US Team was pulled out of bed by WADA for a blood test this AM at 6:45...always a great way to start your day especially if you are racing that day!
Racing starts today with Taylor Phinney about to ride his qualifying race for the pursuit. Roger Young said Taylor hit a PR three days ago in practice on a flying 3K of a 3:08 which is excellent but still leaves a question if it is fast enough because Bradley Wiggins was posting 14.8's....blistering times for Team Pursuit let along Individual Pursuit!
Later today Mike Friedman will race the men's scratch final. Mike earned the gold medal in an exciting breakaway in the last few laps in Beijing World Cup in December.
In a somewhat surprising move, the US also fielded a Men's Team Sprint team. Adam Duvendeck is rostered on the team who has had the best season of all sprinters. Micheal Blatchford who is a full time athlete out of the USOC had a season of ups and downs after qualifying his World Champ spot at the Pan Am Champs in May. Blatchford's coach Des Dickey said Blatchy was showing some good speed last week at ADT so we may see some excellent times being posted from him. Rounding out the men's sprint team is a very lucky Giddeon Massey. Lucky because Massey's racing in the 2007-08 season was somewhat flat but today may be his chance to bring it all home for the team- he trains hard and loves the sport and with his experience and his teammates, they just may do it.
Sarah Hammer competes tomorrow for a potential 3-peat. Sarah was going good at ADT 2 weeks ago and her form looked spot-on Hammer-style so tomorrow should be an incredible event for her. Becky competes Saturday and Sunday.
Good luck USA!!!
