World Track Championship Update

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!!!

San Diego Crit

When I first thought about heading down to Del Mar for a parking lot crit, I had limited expectations, but being that Chris Evertson is a passionate supporter of Women's professional cycling I ventured down to support the race. I was super suprised at the professional venue Chris Evertson and the Swami's cycling club put together. Directions were super easy, easy parking, real flush toliets, an on site food vendor, music and big crowds. As far as the course, AWESOME! Long straight aways with a schicane into the finish, wide corners and a challenging head winds down the back stretch made for exciting racing. The venue was a crowd pleaser as there was an "infield" for spectators with seating. After a 2.5 hour warm up and a delayed start, I worked the pack, attacking for primes, which I won 5, and got in a break with Ana Lang (Aaron's) which pleased the crowd. South Bay's name was announced several times throughout the race. Ana and I were caught with 3 laps to go, my final placing was 11th.

Ontario, March 23

Ontario was warm and windy on Sunday morning.  There were only 16 starters in the W1/2/3 field but strong girls nonetheless.  I knew I did not want to wait for a field sprint and had an idea of where I might be able to get away if the field was unorganized.  After turn one we had a tough cross wind but then hit a strong headwind after turn two.  About 15 minutes into the race countered a preme and pushed hard into the wind.  I wasn't sure about how much progress I was making away from the field but just kept pushing.  After turn 3 an SCVelo rider pulled through and went hard into the next section of wind.  Coming around to the finishing straightaway we realized we had a gap and a break of four riders.  We took equal pulls through the course.  There were many South Bay riders cheering for me and SBW which was great!  I really appreciated the support.  I had an intense week of training but I was feeling really strong still.  Coming into the final straight away, Sandra (Bike John's) started her LONG sprint.  I thought I might be able to stay on her, conserve and then pass her.  Unfortunately...my final plan didn't work.  I did not make it around Sandra and the other two riders finished ahead of me.  I was happy to make the break and work hard throughout the race.  The finish was a test of strength and the game that is cycling!  I'm looking forward to the next one.  

Track World Championships

Well, well, well, here I am across the Big Pond in Manchester, England for the Elite Track World Championships. Competition begins on Wednesday and concludes on Sunday. I will be riding the highly contested point race on Saturday afternoon and the scratch race on Sunday. We arrived last Sunday to try and acclimate ourselves with the time change and not to mention the drastic temperature change I'm experiencing compared to sunny SoCal.

I can't complain for the most part because it doesn't do anyone any good. It's business as usual and now the anty has been raised so it's time let it all hang out and go for it. There's no need to hold back. The coveted rainbow jersey is up for grabs; as is an Olympic berth. So with enough said, I'm off to the track for my training session. More to come as the results filter in.

Transition from Track to Road

This winter was very exciting with track races in England, Australia, China and Denmark. The racing was insanely fast with all the countries trying to earn spots for the Olympics. After the last World Cup I decided to take a much needed rest from racing and start my "off-season" training. Basically this consists of getting back into the gym and doing long rides again. During track season a 2hr ride was a long ride, so getting 4-5hr rides in is really nice. Also, I'm back in the hills again after 6 months on the flat ovals. I forgot how much hill repeats hurt. I plan on racing on the road again in a couple weeks. I definitely need to loose the track booty and get my endurance back. I hope to see everyone out there soon.

Visalia Downtown Crit

The downtown course made for sweet and risky racing. The longest straightaway was maybe 250 meters?? So moving within the field intense. As soon as I moved up to the front there was a big crash in the field. JennW had to chase back on and JennX was caught up in the craziness. I was able to stay clear with a group of about 12. The majority of the field then rejoined and my eyes were peeled for JW and X. They were OK. JW did an awesome job of STAYING up front and attacking at one point into the final turn. I was there as support for sprinter JW and moved up with the action to keep her in the best position. X and I were able to work together on the backside at one point and move up through the field.

In the final laps of the race X had a technical and got a new bike. I had no idea she was in the pit and thought that she was rocking the new Seigler frame! But after the race I uh....READ the frame. I think the new Seiglers will be cooler anyways;) (race brain)

Five laps to go everyone was fighting for positions. Aaron's was drilling the front and TIBCO and Cheerwine were organizing. The pace was fast and steady. Three laps to go, drilling. Final lap JW was in great position up front and X and I were midfield but clear on the left. Final turn, bikes and bodies start building up. I was able to scoot and maneuver around around it, X was able to clear the side of me and JW kept her positioning in front. In the final sprint JW put it down and finished 11th amongst the chaos. X and I crossed together, 19th and 20th.

-Morgan

Race Report to Come but Brief Sequoia Update

NRC Sequoia Classic 3/15-16
TT:
Reither: 30th
Kapp: 31st
Wilson: 48th

Crit:
Wilson: 11th
Reither: 19th
Kapp: 20th

Morgan Kapp also placed 3rd overall in the 99 Series. 99 Series includes Merced, Fresno, and Sequoia races
More info at: http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2008/mar08/sequoiaclassic08/sequoiaclassic084/MF0231