National Team Track Talent Pool Race, 1/12/07

LA Velodrome
Carson, California
1/12/07
Mick Hellman

This race was the last chance to qualify for the US National Team Talent Pool for the track for 2007 (elite track is now a winter sport, so presumably there will be more chances in 2007 to qualify for the 2008 national team). It was held one week before the upcoming Track World Cup event to be held in LA next weekend. I was joined at this event by coach Harvey Nitz and capable mechanic Rob Spear. While USA Cycling offered a range of track events for endurance and sprint riders, I was interested in the 4k Time Trial.

I warmed up outside for about 1 ½ hours in unusually cold weather, then went into the velodrome to register and complete my warmup. Entering the track I was greeted by various trucks and fork lifts that were removing stuff from the infield, in preparation for the World Cup, and pumping out pretty copious amounts of exhaust into the enclosed space. This continued thoughout the early afternoon and well into the 4k event, and there was actually a visible haze during the racing. Hmmm. Wish I’d thought to warm up outside. However, like everyone else I jumped on the track and did another ½ hour there, including some laps in the low 16 seconds (this is a 250 meter track). Then back on the trainer for some more warm-up while they ran the 250-meter men and 3k women.

I was 3rd starter in the 4k. I got off to a decent start (for me; I’m not a fast starter), turning around 23.5 seconds for lap 1, then turned in 16.8 for lap 2. So far so good. I wanted to hold 16.8s the whole way, if possible, which would have brought me in around 4:36 for the 4k, one second under the time cutoff for the talent pool. Boy, I seemed to be working a little too hard already, though. And every time I came around Turn 2 I wanted to barf because the exhaust fumes were so strong.

Next lap Harv yelled out “17.1”. OK, so I’m a little behind. I can still get back 0.3 seconds though, right? Then I heard 17.3, 17.4, and I was seriously in pain. I couldn’t get slower, could I? Turns out I could. I threw in a few high 17s before I started to bring it back into the mid 17s for the last few laps. Harv was yelling himself hoarse with encouragement.

I finished with 3:46.93 and went off into the stands with my stopwatch to pretend to time the other riders, but really I was just sulking. As the race progressed, my humor improved when it turned out that all the times were really slow. I actually held fastest time for quite a while. Maybe the carbon monoxide and cold air were holding everyone back.

In the end I was 4th overall, and 2nd of the riders not currently in the Talent Pool. No one even came close to the cutoff time of 4:37, not even the national team riders. I came in ahead of Kenny Williams (who is arguably the premiere masters pursuit rider on the planet right now) and Phil Zajicek (one of the Navigators, who came 12th at the USPRO TT championships this year). I was 0.3 seconds behind Brad Huff; Brad is in the Endurance Talent Pool and also won the USPRO Crit champs this year. And I was about 3 3/4 seconds behind Tom Zirbel, who recently placed 11th in the Moscow World Cup 4k with a time around 4:32.

San Bruno Hillclimb

On New Years day while most people were nursing hangovers, the AMD/Discovery Masters and Junior teams were busy racing the first race of the much anticipated 2007 season.

The race started with Larry Nolan sacrificing his day with a huge effort at the start of the hill climb. This effort quickly splintered the mass start group of 213 racers into a very elite group that included two AMD/Discovery teammates Kevin Metcalfe and Rob Anderson. This elite group further splintered at the halfway point of the race when 51 year old Rob Anderson accelerated off the front with 3 other riders (Chris Phipps - Zteam, Tracy Colwell - Webcor, and Andy Jacques-Maynes - Cal Giant Strawberry) resulting in his 3rd place finish in the Pro/1/2 Division. Kevin came in shortly behind Rob to place 6th overall and win the Master 45 division. Steve Cassani also put in a fine effort placing 4th in the Master 35 division.

The junior division was dominated by the AMD/Discovery Junior Team with Charlie Avis (15 years old) winning the Junior division and posting the fastest Junior time since the race records have been maintained (1996). Other notable Junior performances had Joel Shaffer placing 3rd, Daniel Tisdell placing 4th and 13 year old Marcus Smith taking 9th.

Thank you to all our sponsors for making these great results and experiences a reality. It was a great day of racing and it was awesome to look across this mass start field and see a range of teammates from 13 to 51 years of age. Stay posted for many more race results, updates and pictures. Next up for the team is the early bird crit series where the AMD/Discovery Team will lead an official mentoring program for less experienced riders.

Take care,

Wyatt Weisel

AMD-Discovery Cycling 2007

AMD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL CYCLING TEAM ADDS NINETEEN RIDERS AS WELL AS KEY SPONSORS FOR 2007

Encouraging growth in the sport of cycling and winning races remaingoals for 2007 team.

The AMD-Discovery Channel Cycling Team is pleased to announce the addition of nineteen riders to its 2007 Team roster. Twenty years ago, Thomas Weisel and Steve Johnson united to create a dominant masters team with a focus on winning races at the National and World level. This commitment to excellence has been continued since the inception of the team and is exemplified in the performance of the team on the bike as well as in the team's active participation in the continued growth of the sport. Thom is Chairman of the USA Cycling Development Foundation Board and Steve is the CEO of USA Cycling. The team of today is focused on helping the sport of cycling move into the future as well as to win races.

To that end we are leaping at the opportunity to build an Elite Junior cycling team. Already having proven their talent on the bike, in the classroom and in their community, we anticipate that these ten young men will blossom even more so in the coming years given their willingness to work as a team, and from the mentoring and experiences that the Masters bring to the Junior team. FabienDior Heinz (2006 Golden Nugget Stage Race winner from Alta Alpina), Ben Barsi-Rhyne (2006 Tour de L'abitibi stage winner from Los Gatos), and Micah Herman (2006 Nevada City Classic from Alta Alpina) will be racing in their 17-18 year age races as well as their category events. Daniel Tisdell (2006 USA National time trial champion from Los Gatos), Joel Shaffer (2006 CA State road race champion from Alto Velo), Davis Bentley (from Spine), and Charlie Avis (2006 CA State road race champion from Alto Velo) comprise the 15-16 year age group. And, we have Marcus Smith (2006 CA State road race champion from Int'l Christian), and Chris and James LaBerge (from Lombardi's) in the 13-14 year old age group.

We are also thrilled to be adding nine Masters to our team. These riders that can win on their own, can help teammates win and love to give back to the sport. We are pleased to bring the AMD-Discovery Channel team back to the top as a vigorous and active racing team.

Joining the 2006 roster of nineteen riders are Rob Anderson (World Mountain Bike Champion from Fralock), Jeff Angerman (from Team Spine), Dave Bailey (from Pedali Alpini), Steve Cassani (from Equipe Le Matin), Marco Hellman (from Fralock), Billy Innes (from Lombardi's), Dean LaBerge (from Lombardi's), Kevin Metcalfe (from Pacific Coast, formerly with the team 1995-2002) and Craig Roemer (from Clover).

In addition to adding top caliber riders for 2007, the team has also added four key sponsors to the host of sponsors that were with the team in 2006. Each of these sponsors exemplifies the same commitment to excellence as the team strives for in their respective fields.

• Trek- Trek will be the exclusive provider of frames to the team for both the 2007 and 2008 season. The team is very excited to be riding the frames of the top innovator in the bike industry, starting back in 1999 with Lance Armstrong's first victory in the Tour de France.
  


• Bontrager - Bontrager will ensure that the frames that we receive from Trek will be equipped with the state of the art carbon wheel and components.
  


• Equinox - Equinox Fitness is an award winning chain of fitness centers with 39 locations in California, New York City, Florida and Chicago.
  


• The Bicycle Outfitter - The Bicycle Outfitter is a premier cycling store located in the Bay Area. This store has been hand selected by members of the team because of their commitment to unparalleled service in the industry.
  

In addition to these new sponsors we are just as please to announce the continued relationship with the following sponsors: AMD, Discovery, Chris King, Clif Bar, de-feet, Fi'zi:k, Giro, Hincapie Sportswear, Off-the-Front, Rudy Project, Shimano and Thomas Weisel Partners.

Returning to the team are former Olympians and USA Bicycling Hall of Famers Leonard Nitz (1976, 1980, 1984 and 1988 games) and Wayne Stetina(1972, 1976, 1980 and current USA Cycling Trustee), as well as Olympians Kent Bostick (1996), Ken Carpenter (1988 and 1992), Dylan Casey (2000, and current USPro President), Tom Doughty (1976, 1980, 1984), and ScottMcKinley (1988). Mike McCarthy (1996 Olympics) is the team's only elite UCI World Champion, whereas Steve Johnson, Kent Bostick, Vic Copeland,Glen Hinshaw and Larry Nolan have all earned UCI Masters WorldChampionships. Long time teammates Peter Allen, John Creed, Jerry Malone, Rich Meeker, Andre Mogannam and Wyatt Weisel add National Championships, wisdom, wins and teamwork.

2007 AMD-Discovery Channel Junior Cycling Team

Charlie Avis (16) Woodside, CA
Ben Barsi-Rhyne (18) Los Gatos, CA
Davis Bentley (15) Mill Valley, CA
Micah Herman (18) Carson City, NV
Chris LaBerge (13) Napa, CA
James LaBerge (14) Napa, CA
Joel Shaffer (15) Los Altos Hills, CA
Marcus Smith (13) Pleasanton, CA
Daniel Tisdell (15) San Jose, CA
FabienDior Heinz (18) Reno, NV

2007 AMD-Discovery Channel Masters Cycling Team

Peter Allen (49) Fair Oaks, CA
Rob Anderson (51) Mill Valley, CA
Jeff Angermann (38) Reno, NV
Dave Bailey (36) Truckee, CA
Kent Bostick (54) Knoxville, TN
Ken Carpenter (42) Orinda, CA
Dylan Casey (36) Palo Alto, CA
Steve Cassani (41) Portola Valley, CA
Vic Copeland (65) Rancho Sante Fe, CA
John Creed (71) Dana Point, CA
Tom Doughty (55) Aurora, IL
Marco Hellman (46) Kentfield, CA
Glen Hinshaw (45) Phoenix, AZ
Billy Innes (35) Menlo Park, CA
Steve Johnson (57) Larkspur, CO
Dean LaBerge (37) Napa, CA
Jerry Malone (52) Mill Valley, CA
Mike McCarthy (39) Mill Valley, CA
Scott McKinley (39) Mill Valley, CA
Rich Meeker (45) Corona Del Mar, CA
Kevin Metcalfe (46) Pleasant Hill, CA
Andre Mogannam (54) Benicia, CA
Harvey Nitz (51) Rocklin, CA
Larry Nolan (49) Fremont, CA
Craig Roemer (42) St. Helena, CA
Wayne Stetina (54) Mission Viejo, CA
Thom Weisel (66) Ross, CA
Wyatt Weisel (36) Menlo Park, CA

For further information please visit: www.amdmasters.com. Photos to be provided by Mark Estes (www.estesphoto.com).