2nd in Testerossa Womens Points Race

May I just say.... Helleyer Velodrome knows how to put on a track race. The fields were stacked last night. Van loads of riders came down from Oregon, even more from the mid states and Jamie Carney came out from T-Town PA. There was a VIP tent on the infield with a BBQ and wine and on the back stright there were kegs of Sierra NV flowing! You can imagine the crowds great racing and cocktails brought to the oval.

I arrived a bit late to the event but managed did get to watch a few mens races. Oh, my gosh, I cannot believe how fast some of these guys are. My jaw dropped when I saw some of these guys excellerate. I wish I could tell you some of their name but there will be a few sounds bites on Bike Sport radio on Monday with results.

As for me.... I raced the womens points race. It was a stacked field with Jenn Triplett (Broadmark), Shelly Evans and Ruth Winder (PB &CO), and Laura McCaughey (Salamander) to name a few. 40 laps, 4 sprints, only 4 opportunites to get points. I quickly realized after the first sprint that I was no match for these big sprinters who came here to win EVERY sprint. The field was no match for PB&Co as the kept launching the most killer attacks. Seriously, attacks that rip your legs off. The 3rd attack had Hanana Alvers (PB&Co) off the front gaining distance on the field. Well, after a handful of those and me humiliating myself in the sprints, quickly going from the front to the back of the pack in 50 meters, I made a decision to make a indescrete move of the front. I saw that Hanan was slowly coming back to the field. My indescrete move got 25 meters on the pack rather quickly. I think they thought they would catch the two of us, I am not sure but as soon as I saw that I could catch Hanan, it was game on.

When I did catch here she was willing to work together since we had 18 laps to go and on a 333 outdoor track.... that's a lot. I managed to take the 2nd sprint, for 5 points, but I knew we had to catch the field to secure the podium. I took a deep breathe and got into pursuit mode. Hanan and I did 1/2 lap pulls.

WE DID IT!!!!! 20 points!!! with 6 laps to go. Now all I need to do was get 2nd or better to win the points race. At 2 laps to go I was thinking just stay upright, I am a bit blown for a final sprint. I am really happy for 2nd. Good for me, great for the team. It was a PB&Co kitty sandwich with Shelly Evans 3rd and Hanan Alvers with the win.

Tonight.... Miss and Out and the Scratch race. Wish me luck!