We had out-of-their-skin rides from everyone. PB's or gutsy performances in every event that were truly amazing. 7 u17 track records.
There were so many great rides: David in the team pursuit Friday (people were still talking about our team Sunday), Duncan looking like a savvy Tour lieutenant in the scratch race doggedly marking fitter VAC riders as they used a withering attacking strategy against our better sprinter, Liam, who timed his sprint perfectly in the two on one sprint finish. Evan riding WAY over his head in the senior points and scratch races against multiple national team riders and nationals medalists, because there weren't enough juniors for separate races. Alex who somehow had THE legs this weekend after a summer mostly training on gravel roads with only her dad to beat up. Last minute recruit Farisha launching national championship senior medalist Perlmutter to the best women's team sprint time. Top three in the u17 500m for Brenna, Alex, and Farisha, all within less than a second. Brenna's patient, precise, come-from-behind win in the pursuit against Alex.
We now have two provincial champions in Under-17, Alex and Liam. The overall champ is based on the omnium, 5 events awarding points to an overall. It includes flying 200, 500 m, pursuit, points race, and scratch race. It's the newest Olympic track event, and promoted by athlete development experts like National Coach Richard Wooles as the best way to develop speed and power cycling skills. Canadians are also good at it. Edmonton's Tara Whitten is current world champion.
In addition to the omnium, all rode the sprint (seeded by the omnium flying 200), the team pursuit, and team sprint. 8 races each over 2 and half days.
Evan hung on longer in the sr points race than top VCL rider Jamie Cameron. In the scratch race he gasped to me "I'm cooked!" before halfway. Then fought back after every attack to stay in contact by the skin of his teeth, and finish with a contending sprint in the main bunch that he didn't really have anything left for, but produced anyway. His dad looked a little red-eyed after. Musta been the sun.
Big thank you's to: Jim Pauly for the amazing food. I think Jim raised the bar about 8 notches with the infield salmon bbq, over ANYTHING I have ever seen at a track meet. Liam is still asking for the bbq sauce. (Note to TS'rs. Consider riding track for the beach/party/music/funny announcer/speedfest atmosphere. It rivals mud and cowbells at 'cross, but with a sharper cyclist tan lines to show your commitment at the beach.
Also to parents Doug and Mike for video duties. They got all three scratch races on video for our first movie night. David is working on big screen access at his dad's. To Robbie Grant who got reams of photos for posterity.
To Kate for the thank you bouquets; several of the GVVA board and organizers approached me after to say they were truly touched.
To Jo for the safety net while I was preoccupied with rules and logistics, making sure there was food, water, and sunscreen, and making sure we had suits to go to the beach after to wash away the sweat and tension.
To Tripleshot for the tents and moral support, and of course, the irreplaceable training group that had such a big part in producing these rides. When Brenna came from behind with a last lap hurtin-but-blazing lap to win the pursuit, I could see her getting lead-outs for Tuesday sprints just last week. Even the announcer commented that TS seemed to be benefiting from getting up at 3:00 in the morning to train (Hyperbole was his strong suit).
To Roland and Jim and Doug's friend, for the loan of their VERY nice track bikes. Evan rode a former national team rider Matt Barlee's custom former bike by Sam Whittingham, worlds land speed racord holder and bike builder to the Lanceness. Liam now has about 20 times the km on Roland's Blue than he does. (His bike is in the team photos for our sponsorship folks.) Jim's new Felt was perfect under David.
To Gillian, Jimmy, John D, and all the others who loaned aero bars. Gillian Carleton (national champ multi-medallist, event co-organizer, winner and man-beater in the masters+women points and scratch races), even noticed us from across the infield trying to make too-long aero bars fit Farisha. She came over to offer her bars, and installed them for her.
To Jim for mechanical support; he installed and removed aero bars about 50 times, and from countless chainring and cog changes, pumping tires, to repairing worn bar tape on loaner bikes.
To the other parents Catharine, Keith, Linda, Graeme, Kirsten, Bernie, that came and cheered, reminded us to eat, and did all the stuff that we don't see that it takes to support young riders, thank you too.
It takes a village to field a race team. Good thing we got one!
