5/14 "For a Few Laps More" Bon Hansing Memorial Cup #3

So I made the drive up again to Encino to race the final Bob Hansing Cup Omnium of the series. I was tied for 2nd overall and leading the Overall Endurance category. The schedule was interesting and did not particularly suit me but what the hell.

Keiren Quarter Finals: So it was 5 up with 4 advancing in the 1st Keiren round. I drew the #5 straw so lined up at the back and did not fight for position as the moto wound it up. I tail-gunned it and gave it just enough to advance.

 40 Lap Points Race: VIDEO of Cat 3/4 Points Race from 53:00 to 1:06 The field was pretty strong with some fast Bike Religion roadies and the same fast Junior track riders. One rider went from the gun and was brought back about 1km from the 1st sprint. The pace slowed as suspected and I jumped hard over the top. One or two riders came with me and we shared the work, with Bobby and Daniel bridging up just before the first sprint. I ended up leading out the sprint and getting 4th (1-point). I kept rolling after the first sprint and a group of five or so worked together to increase the already established gap. I win the 2nd sprint in the process (5-points) we catch the field a few laps later (20-points). Daniel did not catch, but managed to stay away for the 3rd sprint and I ended up 3rd (2-points). I sit in the group to recover a bit, but there was some confusion on what riders were lapped and what riders we could work with. Bobby and a Bike Religion guy manage to get off the front with another rider I missed the move and was focusing on recovering, but my group was not bringing them back anytime soon. I jump hard and try to close the gap as quick as possible. Just barely making it to the group and leaving a few of the other early break companions behind I sit on and try to recover before the final sprint. I was sitting 2nd wheel and make my move out of turn 2 coming around the rider at the front and Bobby on my wheel. I keep the speed up, but Bobby gave it a late kick to take the Win by a few inches. I got 2nd in the final sprint (3-points). This left Bobby and I tied with 31 points, but he edged me out in the final sprint and that is the tie breaker.

Keiren Semi Finals: I was 5th of 6 riders on the rail and top 3 advance to the finals. I made my move too late and was stuck high on the track and missed 3rd by an inch or two.  So no omnium points for me.

Belgian Win-N-Out: This was a tricky event, a 1KM race then they ring the bell for 5th, then 4th on the next lap and so on until the final sprint for the win, but if you are too confident you end up with nothing! I knew I had the Overall Endurance prize in the but I needed some luck to move from 3rd in the series to 1st or 2nd. So I went for the win, but couldn't take the final sprint and ended up with no omnium points.

In the end I ended up 3rd on the day and 3rd overall in the series, but my 2nd in the Points Race clinched the Overall Best Endurance Rider award. Also I should now have enough USCF point to get the upgrade the should have given me last season.

Encino Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #1

4/2 “Black Line Fever” @ Encino Velodrome – Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #1

There are lots of good photos from the event, Videos, and a write up in a local track blog Ride The Black Line.

Encino Velodrome has been hosting the Bob Hansing Memorial Cup for as long as I have been racing track (2007). This is an omnium type series where they have awards for Best Overall Rider, Endurance Racer, Sprinter, and Most Aggressive. This year it is a 3 race series and Black Line Fever was the first event. The Cat 3/4 field was pretty big and included some really fast Juniors.

Report:

Flying 200m: I have done a 200 few of these over the years, so I know the idea, but have not dialed it in by any means. I kept my standard gear on, a 50-15 and gave it a go. I felt I hit it ok into turn one and kept the speed up around turn 3 and 4, with my head down I saw painted line #1 which I assumed was the front straight pursuit line and then gave a bike throw for line #2 which I thought was the finish line. Ooops they have (3) painted lines at Encino, one before the pursuit, then the pursuit, and finally the finish line. I ended up with a 12.81 which was good enough for 6^th,a little slower than I was hoping for, but if I threw my bike at the real finish line I may have gotten close to my PR. (12.42) US National Team Rider Kevin Masnker was out in the California sun getting some training in and pulled off a 11.18 a new Encino record! That was pretty cool to watch.

Race #1 – Match Sprint (4-up riding for 5^th place): I drew the short straw and had to lead the riders off the rail. (2) PAA riders were in the group and decided to take the lead from me early and ramp it up slowly in the pole lane for the sprint leading out the guy tucked in second. I ended up at the back of the line and moved along side to box the guy in second in, I waited too long to start the sprint he muscled his way by and got the win for 5^th and I ended up 6^th with no omnium points…darn bad start to my day.

Race #2 – 40 Lap Points (sprints every 10, points go 5-3-2-1): See the Video above, but here is the summary. Pace was really slow from the start everyone wanting to save it for the 1^st sprint (+5 points). The field was big and I hate slow races on the track so I jumped on the inside with 2 laps before the first sprint easily grabbed the 1^st sprint (+5 points). I kept rolling and saw that few riders were coming across, I waited and gave encouragement that we had a gap and can take all the other sprints if we work together. The group worked well together, but started to slow as we reached the second sprint…this frustrated me so I hit it hard and early for the second sprint and easily grabbed it. Only one guy was still with me so we worked together and caught on to the back of the main pack (+20 points). In the pack I recovered a bit then went for the 3^rd sprint grabbing 2^nd I think (+3 points). I knew I was pretty close to having the win locked in, but rode it out for the final sprint and just followed the wheels to grab 3^rd (+2 points). Final tally 1^st Place! w/ 35 points with second place having like 26 points. I have never lapped the field before so was super pleased with that. Got my redemption after a bad 1^st event.

Race #3 -  Miss-N-Out (last rider pulled from race every other lap until only 1 remains): See Video above! This race can be really fun or really lame. Lots of tactics means that the fastest guy can get called out super early! I have blown in enough times that I knew with a big field like ours and pulling riders every lap on the small 250m track it would really pay to be at or near the front and NOT boxed in. So I rode it from the front just modulating the throttle to keep everyone over my right shoulder. The key is going just fast enough so everyone is content to let me lead, but not too fast so that I have nothing left at the end. The big field keeps everyone fighting at the back high on the track so they are going a much longer distance than me and while I ride tempo they sprint every single lap. I nailed it this time and was able to make it to the final sprint without too much effort. I thought I saw the last rider hesitate or get gapped a little so I started the sprint early but was edged out by one fast junior! It was a really fun race and the Juniors were really impressive and willing to work while off the front in the points race.

Overall: 2nd Place in Cat 3/4 Omnium and got some Track Cat 2 upgrade points.
 

Up next ADT this weekend for the LAVRA Cup. Skipping TNR this week but hopefully will get rid of my cold/cough before Saturday.