Nebraska Cycling News

Nine Athletes Set to Compete at Final Major Event before Olympic Games

Colorado Springs, Colo. - USA Cycling announced today its selections to the National Team for the 2008 UCI Track World Championships.

Set for March 26-30 in Manchester, Great Britain, the World Championships will feature nine American athletes after five riders met automatic qualification criteria and four earned discretionary nominations.

Receiving automatic nominations to the team based on performance throughout the 2007-08 season were Sarah Hammer (Temecula, Calif.) for the women’s 3-kilometer individual pursuit, Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) for both the sprint and keirin events, Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif.) in the men’s sprint, Michael Friedman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) in the men’s scratch race and Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.) for the men’s individual pursuit.

Athletes named to the squad based on discretionary nominations include Becky Quinn (Quakertown, Pa.) in both the women’s points and scratch races, Adam Duvendeck (Santa Barbara, Calif.) for the men’s sprint, Bobby Lea (Mertztown, Pa.) in the men’s omnium competition and Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.), who will compete in the men’s points race and team with Friedman for the men’s madison.

2008 UCI Track World Championships

Manchester, Great Britain

March 26-30

U.S. Team:

Men

Michael Blatchford (sprint)

Adam Duvendeck (sprint)

Michael Friedman (scratch race, madison)

Bobby Lea (omnium)

Colby Pearce (points race, madison)

Taylor Phinney (individual pursuit)

Women

Sarah Hammer (individual pursuit)

Becky Quinn (scratch race, points race)

Jennie Reed (sprint, keirin)

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.