Track worlds conclude in Los Angeles
 Quinn was looking good for a top-five finish when a brutal crash took her out of contention (photo: Mitch Friedman) |
Carson, Calif. (March 27, 2005) – Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) finished sixth in the women’s keirin finals Sunday afternoon to close out the UCI Track Cycling World Championships with the best finish for the U.S. National Team. Other American action in the final day of racing included Marty Nothstein (Orefield, Pa.) and Colby Pearce (Boulder, Colo.) as the duo rode to a 10th place finish in the madison.
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.
Reed faced challenging opponents today including two-time Olympic medalist Anna Meares (AUS) as well as Susann Panzer (GER), Elisa Frisoni (ITA), and Victoria Pendleton (GBR). The Washington native won her first heat to move on to the second round and a third place finish in round two put her into the finals.
Reed had a slight advantage given that four of the stronger contenders considered pre-race favorites did not qualify for the finals. Her advantage diminished quickly however as she was riding in sixth position when the derny pulled off.
 Nothstein closed his storied world championship career with a 10th place effort in the madison with Pearce (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
With Anna Meares (AUS), Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR), Pendleton, and Tamilia Abassova (RUS) in the 7-12 final, Reed’s toughest rivals in the 1-6 final included defending world champion Clara Sanchez (FRA) as well as Italian Elisa Frisoni. “It’s too bad I drew 6th position,” she said after the race. “The situation was not optimal. The start was the worst.”
Sanchez secured the gold, while Frisoni and Yvonne Hijgenaar (NED) claimed silver and bronze respectively.
In his final world championship event, Nothstein teamed up with Pearce to place tenth in the madison. The duo was hoping to send Nothstein out on a high note but they were unable to get into position for a podium finish. The British team won, while the Netherlands and Belgium were second and third respectively.
“We missed some opportunities and we rode too conservatively,” Nothstein explained. Although Pearce made a strong attempt to lap the field, the British team of Robert Hayles and Mark Cavendish were the only ones to be successful in that effort.
 Record crowds witnessed a great event at the world-class ADT Event Center (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
“Colby initiated that winning move and unfortunately the bridge came on us and we never got on their wheel,” Nothstein noted.
Pearce was disappointed as he felt that everything was in place for a top finish. “Everything was perfect for worlds in terms of preparation. I had the perfect amount of road riding, perfect facilities, great staff, great training.”
Nothstein was also discouraged to end his era of world championship racing with tenth place. “It wasn’t a result I wanted to finish on, but it’s been a great career.”
Becky Quinn (Quakertown, Pa.) was taken to the hospital this afternoon after suffering two broken ribs and a broken clavicle due to a crash in the women’s scratch race. As the field came around the corner for the final sprint to the finish, Quinn was in good position for a top-five finish but became tangled in a collision with two other riders. She was one of the U.S. Team’s top medal hopes as she narrowly missed the podium in last year’s contest to place fourth.
 Reed again made the finals in the keirin at worlds, but came up short of a medal (photo: Mitch Friedman) |
The world title went to Olga Slyusareva (RUS), while Katherine Bates (AUS) and Lyudmyla Vypyraylo (UKR) earned the silver and bronze.
Today’s racing marked the end of the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Elite level track cycling will return to the ADT Event Center in August with the USCF Elite National Championships.
For a complete wrap up of event results, visit http://www.tissottiming.com/ and for complete event coverage, visit www.usacycling.org.
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.
This Article Published March 27, 2005 For more information contact:
