Carney strong in scratch race but falls short
Carson, Calif. (March 26, 2005) –Day three of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships concluded with the evening session that featured one American performance. Jame Carney (Durango, Colo.) was the highlight of the men’s scratch race final as he launched an impressive attack near the end of the 15-kilometer event.
 Carney's late-race attack nearly netted him a world title but was swallowed up with four to go (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
There were a few breakaway attempts in the race’s early stages, but none of them stuck. As the 60-lap event drew to a close, Carney launched his attack. With ten laps left in the competition, the two-time Olympian flew off the front and managed to stay away for seven laps. The field drew him back in however, and with his energy expended from his solo effort, the Colorado rider finished last. “I needed someone to go with me or the field not to chase in a group,” he explained later
According to Carney, there was no choice but to attack the field. He explained, “We got three laps into the race and I knew I was going to have a hard time with the gear I chose. I chose a pretty small gear.”
Small gears are good for stop and go races with plenty of attacks. Bigger gears are more desirable for sprint finishes. “I knew it was going to be a sprint if I didn’t try and attack,” Jame said about his decision to go off the front.
With the event ending in a field sprint, Alex Ramussen (DEN) took top honors over defending champion Greg Henderson (NZL). Matthew Gilmore (BEL) rounded out the podium with the bronze.
American action on tap for tomorrow’s final session will see Becky Quinn (Quakertown, Pa.) and Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) compete in the women’s scratch race and the keirin respectively. Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) and Marty Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.) will contest the madison.
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 Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
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 Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
This Article Published March 26, 2005 For more information contact:
