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.

4/30 “Feet of Fury” @ Encino Velodrome – Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #2

I made the trek up to Encino Velodrome for the Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #2 with a few of the Adams Ave. guys. The Santa Ana conditions meant it was hot, dry, and very windy.

Flying 200m: I brought the disk for the 200 and threw on a 48-14 and gave it a go. I ended up with a 12.43 which was good enough for 4^th, again a little slower than I was hoping for, but with the wind I was happy to get within 1 hundredth of a second of my PR.

Race #1 – 40 Lap Points (sprints every 10, points go 5-3-2-1): Here is a Video of the event, from 1min to the finish shows the Cat 3/4 Points race. Jack L. was riding in the 3/4s because no one else showed up for the Pro 1/2. He was a good sport and ended up leading out most the sprints and not taking them for himself. But is did seem like he had an allegiance to one really fast Junior Bobby U. The fast juniors, Jack, and one or two others in addition to myself ended up lapping the field. Bobby took the Points race and I came in 2nd Place.  


Race #2 – Match Sprint: I was riding for 3rd against another fast Junior, I led the first few laps around the rail but with 1.5 laps to go I was still going rather slow around the top and didn't react to the jump fast enough so limped in for 4th Place.

  

Race #3 - Miss-N-Out: Jack hit the front early and rode tempo, I stayed near the blue line on a wheel, but out of trouble. As the pack shrunk I moved onto Jacks shoulder and stayed put. I was trying to save a little more and go for the Win, but that proved to be the wrong move as I got out by an inch or two in 3rd Place.

OVERALL: 3rd Place in Cat 3/4 Omnium and got some more Track Cat 2 upgrade points.
 

LAVRA Cup #4

Originally I planned on racing the Cat 3/4 field, but the schedule included not too much racing and there was a gap between the 3/4 and the Pro 1/2/3, so I signed up for both. The only problem was the women's Pro 1/2/3 field that was between my 2 race was combined with mens Pro 1/2/3 due to small fields.

RACE #1 – 50 Lap Points: Having a small mixed field made the racing interesting. The pace was pretty slow and everyone was waiting for the sprints and not pulling through. So I went on the attack and grabbed a few points off the front, I pulled off to recover and there was a counter that I let go and was planning in hitching a ride as they chased it down...oops the forgot the field was small and most everyone was looking at everyone else to pull through. In short I did a lot of work trying to keep the 2 riders off the front from lapping, but everyone else was content racing for 3rd so I ended up 4th place which was a little frustrating considering how much that race hurt. (2 omnium points).

RACE #2 – 15 Lap Tempo: This race started out pretty fast as everyone was trying to pick off points early. I grabbed a few, and shuffled back in the group. Micheal the Jamaican National Team rider was at the front riding it like a miss-n-out, not really pulling off and a few other riders would come over the top. The rotation was not flowing like usual so as he eased on one of the laps I hit it hard and kept it rolling over the top grabbing the next lap and getting a gap. As we learned earlier the group was not very organized and didn't want to work too much so I just put my head down and hoped they would not chase for a measily point on the next lap or the next lap. I ended up finishing the race off the front Winning the Tempo Race! (7 omnium points)

RACE #3 – 15 Lap Scratch: Now I was tied for the lead in the omnium. I rode the Scratch aggressively and tried to get away or get a move up the road. In the end it was a Sprint which I led out for the overall. I was nipped at the line by a few inches. A close sprint and fun race. So 2nd Place in the scratch got me 2nd overall.

RACE #4 - Cat 3/4 Miss-N-Out: I rode if from the front and modulated the throttle keeping the tempo just high enough so I don't get overtaken and boxed in. I make it to the final sprint, but didn't have the kick to take it. 2nd Place (5 omnium points).

OVERALL: 2nd in Pro 1/2/3 Omnium and 4th in Cat 3/4 Omnium after racing one of the 3/4 events. Fun day and got some more upgrade points.