Track worlds open with no medals for U.S.
Carson, Calif. (March 24, 2005)—On the opening night of the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Carson, Calif., the U.S. National Team was unsuccessful in its medal quest. With riders competing in the women’s 500 meter time trial and the men’s 40km points race, a strong international field that characterizes a world championship event held the Americans at bay.
Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) and Rebecca Conzelman (Cincinnati, Ohio) each placed 13th in their respective events but have a chance to redeem themselves later this week.
A 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member and runner-up in the world cup event held in Los Angeles last December, Pearce scored eight points in the men’s points race, enough to beat Olympic champion Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS), but not enough to eclipse most of the talented field that took to the track this evening.
Benefiting from a mid-race attack, Pearce nearly gained a lap on the field, but the pack recognized the potential danger of letting Pearce gain to much ground and reeled him back in. His brief solo escape netted him five points, but a handful or riders who lapped the field earlier in the contest meant that Pearce was out of contention for a medal without lapping the bunch himself.
“I got out there and I had something, but it wasn’t world’s something,” explained Pearce afterwards. There’s no hiding in the points race. If you’re not absolutely flying, then you’re not really doing anything.”
Pearce’s chance to improve upon his disappointing result today comes on Sunday when he teams with Marty Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.) in the tag-team style madison event. “I’ve got one more shot,” Pearce said. “I know Marty is feeling really good right now. I think he’s going as best as he’s ever gone in his career as an endurance rider, so I’ve got that to motivate me.”
Volodymyr Rybin (UKR) took the world title with 38 points while Loannis Tamouridis (GRE) and Joan Llaneras (ESP) finished second and third respectively with 36 and 34 points.
Conzelman also rode to a 13th place finish this evening in the women’s 500 meter time trial. After posting a time of 36.074 seconds, Conzelman was sitting fourth after seven riders. As the competition continued, the pace began to pick up and nine of the eleven remaining competitors surpassed Conzelman’s mark.
Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR) earned her third world title in the event, clocking a 34.738 to take the rainbow jersey indicative of a world champion. Olympic champion Anna Meares (AUS) settled for second with a time of 34.752 and Dutchwoman Yvonne Hijgenaar took the bronze with a 34.928.
Visibly disappointed after her performance, Conzelman thought she was on track for a better performance. “I’m really disappointed in my ride tonight,” she said. “I’ve been doing some great times in training.”
The U.S. National Team resumes competition on Friday. Conzelman and Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) will compete in the sprint qualification rounds and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Christian Stahl (Bethany, Conn.) will try their hand at the keirin. Bobby Lea (Mertztown, Pa.) will compete in the men’s individual pursuit and Erin Mirabella (La Habra, Calif.) will ride the women’s 25km points race.
For complete event reports following the competition, visit www.usacycling.org.
For complete information on the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.usacycling.org.
A copy of the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships media guide is available here.
For a photo gallery of images from the week’s competition, click here.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 50,000 members and 2,000 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 Communicaitons, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) and Rebecca Conzelman (Cincinnati, Ohio) each placed 13th in their respective events but have a chance to redeem themselves later this week.
 Colby Pearce (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
A 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member and runner-up in the world cup event held in Los Angeles last December, Pearce scored eight points in the men’s points race, enough to beat Olympic champion Mikhail Ignatiev (RUS), but not enough to eclipse most of the talented field that took to the track this evening.
Benefiting from a mid-race attack, Pearce nearly gained a lap on the field, but the pack recognized the potential danger of letting Pearce gain to much ground and reeled him back in. His brief solo escape netted him five points, but a handful or riders who lapped the field earlier in the contest meant that Pearce was out of contention for a medal without lapping the bunch himself.
“I got out there and I had something, but it wasn’t world’s something,” explained Pearce afterwards. There’s no hiding in the points race. If you’re not absolutely flying, then you’re not really doing anything.”
Pearce’s chance to improve upon his disappointing result today comes on Sunday when he teams with Marty Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.) in the tag-team style madison event. “I’ve got one more shot,” Pearce said. “I know Marty is feeling really good right now. I think he’s going as best as he’s ever gone in his career as an endurance rider, so I’ve got that to motivate me.”
Volodymyr Rybin (UKR) took the world title with 38 points while Loannis Tamouridis (GRE) and Joan Llaneras (ESP) finished second and third respectively with 36 and 34 points.
 Becky Conzelman (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
Conzelman also rode to a 13th place finish this evening in the women’s 500 meter time trial. After posting a time of 36.074 seconds, Conzelman was sitting fourth after seven riders. As the competition continued, the pace began to pick up and nine of the eleven remaining competitors surpassed Conzelman’s mark.
Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR) earned her third world title in the event, clocking a 34.738 to take the rainbow jersey indicative of a world champion. Olympic champion Anna Meares (AUS) settled for second with a time of 34.752 and Dutchwoman Yvonne Hijgenaar took the bronze with a 34.928.
Visibly disappointed after her performance, Conzelman thought she was on track for a better performance. “I’m really disappointed in my ride tonight,” she said. “I’ve been doing some great times in training.”
The U.S. National Team resumes competition on Friday. Conzelman and Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) will compete in the sprint qualification rounds and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Christian Stahl (Bethany, Conn.) will try their hand at the keirin. Bobby Lea (Mertztown, Pa.) will compete in the men’s individual pursuit and Erin Mirabella (La Habra, Calif.) will ride the women’s 25km points race.
For complete event reports following the competition, visit www.usacycling.org.
For complete information on the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.usacycling.org.
A copy of the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships media guide is available here.
For a photo gallery of images from the week’s competition, click here.
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 50,000 members and 2,000 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 Communicaitons, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
This Article Published March 25, 2005 For more information contact:
