Elite track nationals open crowning first-ever omnium champions
Carson, Calif. (September 30, 2009)—The 2009 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships opened in the velodrome at the Home Depot Center on Wednesday as Cody O’Reilly (Santa Barbara, Calif./Bissell) and Cari Higgins (Boulder, Colo./Proman) were awarded the first-ever elite omnium national titles. In all, three national champions were crowned on the first day of competition inside the country’s only 250-meter indoor velodrome.
Cody, son of former kilo world record holder and Pan American champion Rory O’Reilly, used a balanced attack to take what is considered the all-around title, finishing second in the individual pursuit and kilo time trial, third in the 200-meter time trial and the scratch race and sixth in the points race.
“I have a lot of endurance from all the road racing I’ve been doing and that combined with some speed makes the omnium suit me really well,” stated O’Reilly.
Jacob Duehring (Irvine, Calif./Felt Factory Team) mounted a formidable attack, including a blazing win in the individual pursuit, but had to settle for silver after an eighth-place finish in the points race. USA Cycling National Development Team rider Daniel Holloway (Morgan Hill, Calif./Felt-Holowesko-Garmin) also had a strong showing, winning both the points race and the kilo, but couldn’t recover from a slow start in the 200-meter time trial.
After collecting four medals at this year’s Pan American Track Cycling Championships, Higgins began her quest for the Stars-and-Stripes tonight, winning what is to be the first of eight events she will contest at these national championships. The soon-to-be 33-year-old grabbed the sixth national title of her career in impressive fashion placing first in three of the five omnium events.
“This was the most important race for me this week because I feel like on the world level this is where I’m most competitive,” explained Higgins. “I really wanted to show what I can do in this event and the dominance of our entire Proman squad.”
Long-time endurance racer Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich./Verducci-Breakaway) earned the silver with an all-around strong performance while Heather Jackson (Oceanside, Calif.) grabbed the bronze after winning the points race event.
Recently added to the national championship slate, the men’s and women’s international omniums are a compilation of the 200-meter flying time trial, scratch race, individual pursuit, points race and time trial. Each rider is awarded points in accordance with their placing in each event with the rider accumulating the lowest cumulative point total earning the title.
In the only other title awarded on Wednesday, Giddeon Massie (Huntington Beach, Calif./Bike Religion) clocked a time of 18.359 seconds to win the standing 250-meter time trial over David Espinoza (Breinigsville, Pa./Bike America) and Kelyn Akuna (Long Beach, Calif./Veritas Cycling Team).
2009 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships
Carson, Calif.
Sept. 30 - Oct. 4
For full results from the event, click here.
To view photos from the event, click here.
To view photos from the event, click here.
Men’s International Omnium
1. Cody O’Reilly (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 16
2. Jacob Duehring (Irvine, Calif.) 19
3. Daniel Holloway (Morgan Hill, Calif.) 23
4. Ian Moir (Long Beach, Calif.) 29
5. Daniel Lionberg (Fort Collins, Colo.) 39
Women’s International Omnium
1. Cari Higgins (Boulder, Colo.) 9
2. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich.) 14
3. Heather Jackson (Oceanside, Calif.) 22
4. Anna Lang (La Jolla, Calif.) 23
5. Christen King (Huntington Beach, Calif.) 26
Men’s 250-Meter Time Trial
1. Giddeon Massie (Huntington Beach, Calif./Bike Religion) 18.359
2. David Espinoza (Breinigsville, Pa./Bike America) 18.669
3. Kelyn Akuna (Long Beach, Calif./Veritas Cycling Team) 19.003
4. Daniel Walker (Houston, Texas/Momentum Coaching) 19.036
5. Kevin Mansker (Portland, Ore.) 19.171
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX, and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ licensees including 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 1,800 clubs and teams, 350 professional cyclists, 200 certified mechanics, and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists through various initiatives and programs. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts national championship events for all categories of amateur and professional cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.
This Article Published October 1, 2009 For more information contact:
