Carney Captures Gold; Another for Witty
(Lehigh Valley, PA) – Beautiful weather graced the third night of the 2003 USCF National Track Cycling Championships at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Trexlertown, PA.
The men’s points race was very close with one of the Carney brothers taking the win while the women’s 500 meter time trial allowed Chris Witty to show her potential strength going into 2004.
The men’s points race proved to be very dramatic. In the early going Prime Alliance, Ofoto/Lombardi, T.E.A.M. Fuji, and Navigators spread the points across the board with each trying to make a move that would stick - none were successful. At the halfway point Colby Pearce (Ofoto/Lombardi) led, but with the top five riders all within five points, Colby’s comfort range was minimal.
With 30 laps remaining Pearce made a decisive breakaway to extend his lead. Jame and Jonas Carney (Prime Alliance) were soon fighting to stay in the race. Jonas took a sprint win and started to put the pressure on Pearce. With less than ten laps remaining both Jame and Jonas were able to breakaway leaving Colby in the pack.
Going into the final sprint Pearce still held a two point lead over Jonas. On the final lap Jame led his brother around to turn three, and with a strong sprint Jonas held off Gui Nelessen (Sportsbook.com) to take the final sprint and the National Points Race Championship.
In the women’s 500 meter time trial, Chris Witty (Team T-Mobile), 2002 speed skating Olympic Gold Medallist, lit the track up with a 36.388 second run. Her strong performance secured her second national championship of the event. Becky Conzelman (Frisco Cycling Club), one of T-town’s favorite hometown riders, came within six tenths of a second of Witty’s time to take the silver medal.
In the sprint rounds, top-seeded riders Stephen Alfred and Giddeon Massie, both members of the Cody Racing Team, easily moved onto tomorrow night’s semi-finals.
USCF National Track Cycling Championships
August 28, 2003
Men’s Sprint 9-12th Place Final
The men’s points race was very close with one of the Carney brothers taking the win while the women’s 500 meter time trial allowed Chris Witty to show her potential strength going into 2004.
The men’s points race proved to be very dramatic. In the early going Prime Alliance, Ofoto/Lombardi, T.E.A.M. Fuji, and Navigators spread the points across the board with each trying to make a move that would stick - none were successful. At the halfway point Colby Pearce (Ofoto/Lombardi) led, but with the top five riders all within five points, Colby’s comfort range was minimal.
With 30 laps remaining Pearce made a decisive breakaway to extend his lead. Jame and Jonas Carney (Prime Alliance) were soon fighting to stay in the race. Jonas took a sprint win and started to put the pressure on Pearce. With less than ten laps remaining both Jame and Jonas were able to breakaway leaving Colby in the pack.
Going into the final sprint Pearce still held a two point lead over Jonas. On the final lap Jame led his brother around to turn three, and with a strong sprint Jonas held off Gui Nelessen (Sportsbook.com) to take the final sprint and the National Points Race Championship.
In the women’s 500 meter time trial, Chris Witty (Team T-Mobile), 2002 speed skating Olympic Gold Medallist, lit the track up with a 36.388 second run. Her strong performance secured her second national championship of the event. Becky Conzelman (Frisco Cycling Club), one of T-town’s favorite hometown riders, came within six tenths of a second of Witty’s time to take the silver medal.
In the sprint rounds, top-seeded riders Stephen Alfred and Giddeon Massie, both members of the Cody Racing Team, easily moved onto tomorrow night’s semi-finals.
USCF National Track Cycling Championships
August 28, 2003
Men’s Sprint 9-12th Place Final
9. David Wiswell Gotham Cyclists 10. Peter Sargent Snow Valley 11. Andy Sparks Cody racing Men’s Sprint 1/8th Final Heat 1 1. Stephen Alfred Cody Racing 2. Robert Lindstrom Colavita-Bolla Heat 2 1. Giddeon Massie Cody Racing 2. Josh Weir Focus 2004 Heat 3 1. Ben Barczewski East Coast Velo 2. Mike Beers Gotham Cyclists Heat 4 1. Kevin Belz Gotham Cyclists 2. Christian Stahl Cody Racing Women’s 500m TT 1. Chris Witty Team T-Mobile 36.388 2. Becky Conzelman Frisco Cycling Club 36.977 3. Elizabeth Reap T.E.A.M. Fuji 38.387 4. Martha Dunne Jelly Belly/Carlsbad Clothing 38.629 5. Jamie Pettinato Gotham Cyclists 39.639 Men’s 30km Points Race Final 1. Jonas Carney Prime Alliance 28 points 2. Colby Pearce Ofoto/Lombardi 25 3. Jame Carney Prime Alliance 14 4. Kirk O’Bee Navigators 13 5. Bobby Lea T.E.A.M. Fuji 13
This Article Published August 29, 2003 For more information contact:
