Nebraska Cycling News

Americans Finish World Cup Opener With One Medal

SYDNEY - Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash./Momentum) collected the first and only medal of the weekend for the United States on Sunday with a silver-medal performance in the women's keirin at the opening round of the UCI Track World Cup series.

Reed won both her first- and second-round heats before lining up in the six-woman final against eventual winner Victoria Pendleton (GBR), bronze medalist Natalia Tsylinskaya (BEL), Clara Sanchez (FRA), Elisa Frisoni (ITA) and Simona Krupeckaite (LTU).

For the reigning Pan American keirin champion, it was the third-consecutive silver medal in the keirin at the Sydney World Cup as Reed also placed second last year to Guo Shuang (CHN) and the during 2005-06 season to Di Mu (CHN).

Reed's second-place effort on Sunday was the highlight of the weekend for the 20-member American contingent as the final day of competition also featured eight other Americans.

Liz Reap (Jim Thorpe, Pa./T-Town Express) was credited with 25th place in the keirin after failing to advance out of the first round.  Reap placed fifth in both her opening round heat and the ensuing repechage, resulting in her elimination from further competition.

Three men's sprinters failed to advance to the first round of the men's sprint after posting flying 200-meter times that didn't crack the top 16.  Adam Duvendeck (Santa Barbara, Calif./Momentum) was the fastest American in qualifying, clocking a time of 10.412 seconds - the 18th fastest overall.  Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif./Cody Racing) qualified 31st with a 10.606 and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo./T-Town Express) ticked off a 10.716 to qualify 41st.

In the men's sprint, an all-French final between third-seeded Mickael Bourgain and fourth-seeded Kevin Sireau ended with Bourgain taking two straight rides for the gold medal.  In the consolation round, top-seeded Chris Hoy (GBR) added a bronze medal to his keirin gold with a two-ride victory over Gregory Bauge (FRA).

Two American teams were also in action on Sunday as both the U.S. National Team of Brad Huff (Fair Grove, Mo./Slipstream-Chipotle) and Bobby Lea (Mertztown, Pa./Toyota-United) and the Slipstream-Chipotle duo of Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) and Michael Friedman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) advanced to the finals of the men's 40-kilometer madison.

In the finals, the duo of Friedman and Pearce turned in the better performance of the two U.S. squads, placing 11th overall with six points as one of nine teams that finished two laps off the pace of winners Peter Schep and Jens Mouris of The Netherlands.

Lea and Huff did not finish.

The 2007-08 UCI Track World Cup Classics series continues next weekend with the official Olympic Test Event in Beijing on the velodrome that will be used at the upcoming 2008 Summer Games.

2007 UCI Track World Cup Classics

#1 - Sydney Australia

Day Three Results:

Women's Keirin

1. Victoria Pendleton (GBR)

2. Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.)

3. Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR)

25. Liz Reap (Jim Thorpe, Pa.)

Men's Sprint

1. Mickael Bourgain (FRA)

2. Kevin Sireau (FRA)

3. Chris Hoy (GBR)

18. Adam Duvendeck (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 10.412

31. Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif.) 10.606

41. Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 10.716

Men's 40-kilometer Madison

1. The Netherlands 0

2. Spain 10, -1

3. Denmark 18, -2

11. Slipstream-Chipotle (Michael Friedman, Colby Pearce) 6, -2

DNF. United States (Bobby Lea, Brad Huff)

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.