Im going to drive up to LA to watch the Track world championships. I know almost nothing about track racing and am trying to figure out which day is the best to go. I would guess Sunday, but what do I know? What day would a knowledgeable person go?
I chose friday nights session. Kieren really is the business, lots of high speed jockeying because the scooter keeps the pace fast then pulls off w/ two to go. Pursuit is also cool, both riders can see each other. The other really high profile races are the match sprints (ones with lots of slow speed jockey-ing, ie track stands) and the madison (really cool transitions between riders, but the race is long (50k?). Friday night has the womens points races and mens kilo TT which is crazy fast (1min races). If you want to see the aero stuff, tt and pursuits are the way to go - hope this helps - E
You already got a good answer. I didn’t think the points race would be as interesting as it was. Think of a crit done on the track… only you’ve got the 45 degree bank and guys constantly swinging up to drop back into the pack of 20 or so. I found this to be one of the interesting. I’ve not watched kerin yet, but have seen and enjoyed the rest of the desciplines as well. The evenings seem to have more of the finals compared to the days.
I’d give up an arm to watch the Madison. Kilo and pursuit can also be cool especially if you try to put the efforts into perspective on what the average joe is capable of. I mean those kilo guys are running 2000 watts through their bikes. WTF?
I can confirm that 3 of the 4 guys that set the world record for Oz weren’t racing.
Julian, a new indoor velodrome is being completed in London, Ontario. It is 142m 50 degrees, next time you are stateside, we are going! I’ll happily have you as my madison partner as I think you are light enough that I could just throw you accross the track to the finish line.
You’re on, Dave! I reckon you probably could hand sling me that far too.150m track? That is exactly the same size as our local track at Calshot, gotta love the g force coming into the bend on the black line.
I guess it’s the old adage, you can only race the team that toes the line. I just read the Velo news review of the semi last night and it seems the way Hoy and Staff were riding they would have taken on allcomers.
My friend is racing at the famous Herne Hill Easter track meet today to ge tthe last ten points to get his cat 2 licence. Latest news is that he came off the track for 5 minutes after coming 4th in the points and went back on to take 2nd in the “Devil”! You ever ridden at the famous Herne Hill, Dave?
Stahl(USA) took a terrible crash in the keirin… his fork completely tore off of the bike…the sound of carbon breaking is unforgetable… he was hauled away to hospital…
The track is very nice(and indoor!!!)… A lot better than the 84’ olympic drome that used to be here.
bummer, Christian is a good guy, but even the jackasses don’t deserve that. Those team bikes have a nasty habit of breaking in half on the slightest impact. I’ve seen that happen to that frame as well.
