Hellyer Velodrome Thursday Night Results

The numbers show that the riders like the points race format, getting a workout under the lights, and hanging with their friends on a Thursday night. Lots of people tell me this too, but I do not get many comments about my write ups so I tend to take some liberties. Then again, there is a story behind every race and I like to tell racing stories.

This was the last racing of the year and we had a great turnout for racing in late September. A group of locals are heading to elite nationals so they made this their last tune-up race. I’m appreciative of that. I also like that so many Cs and Bs showed up because they put on such a good show. The competition is tighter and more riders have a chance to win.

As a racer I think it is sad when a training event pulls in more riders than the Friday Night races. As a promoter of the training event I think it is great that so many riders show up, especially this late in the season!

Finally, thank you to Joe Fineman for rounding up the prizes. Clif Bar product for all riders, Peets for the winners, and a Rudy Project helmet for Sabine Dukes, our most consistent (and improving) rider. Thanks for the cookies and brownies Jen and Marc!

C Group Results- 12 starters, 60 laps

Highlights- Julie Granshaw is one of our local riders heading to Carson next week for Nationals and she looks to not only be in great form but she rode a very wise race. She scored in eleven of the twelve sprints and took two victories along the way, including the final sprint to take the win. Tactically, taking a win can be a horrible thing if riders counter-attack the win when you and others sit up, so Julie was wise in collecting a lot of third place sprints and not letting any moves get away. Very well done Julie.

1st- 28 points- Julie Granshaw (Morgan Stanley)- 2 victories
2nd- 27 points- Tor Roberts (unattached)- 3 victories
3rd- 25 points- Wyatt Weisel (AMD-Discovery)- 2 victories
4th- 11 points- Beth Newell (unattached)- (later points)
5th- 11 points- Job Rucker (unattached)- 2 victories
6th- 5 points- Marc Franklin (Chico)- 1 victory
7th- 4 points- Julie Nevitt (SJBC)
Also- Natasha Perry (Velo Bella Kona)- 2 victories, Hanan Alves-Hyde (unattached), Ileana Garcia-Parker (Alto Velo), Justin Morgan (FresnOakland), Michael Boals (Metromint)- 4 points and a mechanical

B Group Results- 13 starters, 60 laps in 30:00 averaging 25.2mph

Highlights- This was a quick race as spectators also commented on the pace. Plus the average pace does not account for the surges in speeds. Maurice Monge was the class of the field as he secured his win before the last two sprints. The race for second place was not decided until the final sprint. Nole Studley continues to impress with not only his speed (he won the Cs race on August 2) but now with his endurance. Aaron Hunter claimed third place.

1st- 26 points- Maurice Monge (SJBC) 2 victories
2nd- 19 points- Nole Studley (Roaring Mouse) 2 victories
3rd- 16 points- Aaron Hunter (SJBC) 1 victory
4th- 15 points- Bob Parker (Alto Velo)- 1 victory
5th- 13 points- Ken Sato (Team Santa Cruz))- 1 victory
6th- 7 points- Michael Boals (Metromint)
7th- 6 points- Daniel Tisdell (AMD-Discovery Channel)
8th- 3 points- Keith Jordan (FFBC)
Also- Andreas Vogel (Cycling California.com), Mark Patten (VOS)- 5 victories, Randy Armstrong- 4 points (SJBC), Eugene Beyer (IC3), Randy Armstrong (SJBC)

A Group Results- 8 starters, 120 laps, 60 immediately following the Bs

Highlights- Road riders that think track will not tap their endurance are being mis-led. For instance, Ben Jacques-Maynes spent three hours at the track on Thursday. Maybe that is what it takes to become a National Champion?

I have been points racing for years and have a few wins but I still learn a lot in watching these races and boy was I thankful that I wasn’t racing with these guys this week. Good luck to all of you at Nationals!

1st- 44 points- Ben Jacques-Maynes- 7 victories
2nd- 25 points- Steve Palaez (Lombardis)- 2 victories
3rd- 19 points- Joel Robertson (Trumer Pils)- 1 victory
4th- 15 points- Roman Kilun (Healthnet)- 1 victory
5th- 5 point- Devon Vigus (Giant Strawberry)- 1 victory
Also- George Meilahn (IC3)- 8 points, Giovanni Rey (BPG), Brian Peterson (Alto Velo)

Thanks go out to all the riders that made this series a success and I look forward to continuing this series in the spring of 2008. Cheers! Larry Nolan, AMD-Discovery Channel Masters Cycling Team