The 2007 Track Nationals were held in Dieppe, New Brunswick from Sept 6-9. I competed in the Points Race, Individual Pursuit and Omnium.
Thurs, Sept 6 – 25 km Points Race (7th):
The points race was 100 laps for a total of 25 km. There were sprints every 10 laps with the top riders getting 5, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively for the 1st 4 riders across the finish line each sprint. If a rider laps the field, 20 points is awarded.
The race was active, with many attacks throughout. I attempted to get away many times throughout the race and was successful in my last attempt with 9 laps to go and stayed away to the finish to gain maximum points in the last sprint. I finished 7th overall.
Fri, Sept 7 – 3,000 metre Individual Pursuit (3rd – bronze):
The weather was very Pursuit-unfriendly – strong, gusty winds made for very slow conditions for everyone. I qualified 3rd in a time of 4:04. This put me straight into the bronze medal round, which was 2 hours later.
After my first ride, I analyzed my SRM data and figured I could go faster. My goal in the final was to do as fast a time as I could and leave nothing on the track. I refocussed on the final and had a great ride in the still-windy conditions, doing a 4:01. I won the bronze by 6 seconds over my opponent, and was only 3.5 seconds slower than gold medallist, Lyne Bessette. I also had the fastest final kilo of all the finalists. My kilo splits were 1:22, 1:19, 1:18.
Sun, Sept 9 – Omnium (5th):
This is a new event in which riders compete in 5 different events over the course of the day to earn points, with the best overall rider taking the win. The Omnium consists of 2 sprint events – the flying 200 metre time trial and standing 500 metre time trial, and 3 shortened endurance events – a 5 km Scratch race, 2 km Pursuit and 10 km Points race.
In the Scratch race, I attacked with 5 laps to go and soloed in for the win. (I have this race on video as well and will be posting it)
I also had a great Pursuit, placing 2nd, only 1 second behind the winner. In the Points race, I rode extremely aggressively, attacking at least 7 times in the 10 km race. The pack wouldn’t let anything get away and I finished 8th.
Here are my Omnium results:
9th: Flying 200
1st: 5 km Scratch race
2nd: 2 km Pursuit
8th: 10 km Points race
7th: 500 metre TT
5th: Omnium
Special thanks to my coach, Steve Karpik and his significant other, Susan Brown, for their tireless help at Nationals and all year round. Thanks also to Darryl Winger for helping out in Dieppe. What a team! All of Steve’s track athletes won medals at their National Championship events this year. Congratulations to Todd Hayes, Will Lampe and Joanna Wiersma – time to give Steve that raise!
Thanks to team R.A.C.E. for their support this season. I’m looking forward to representing team R.A.C.E. once again on the World Cup Track circuit again this year!
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