5th... Again

The kilo TT field this year was the strongest I have ever seen it at natz. The unknown was Taylor Phinney. Everyone knew he would be fast, but no one knew how fast. It ended up that he was 1:03 fast, which was the fastest I have ever seen at natz. Jimmy Watkins also rode a strong 1:05 and all the other times were in the 1:07's before I went in the second to the last round.
I knew I would have to go faster than I ever have in order to place, so I put on a big gear and hoped for the best. My start felt really strong as I used the starting blogs to my advantage. But after about 600 meters, I just didn't have the strength to keep the gear rolling and I got bogged down in the last lap. But I finished with a PR by a second at 1:07.3 which put me into fourth place. But there was still one more heat, which contained the gold and silver medalist from last year. Steve Hill rode a strong 1:05.8 to challenge Jimmy for 2nd, but fell just a bit short. David Espinoza did not seem on his best form, coming in with a 1:07.4 for sixth place, but he still scored first in the U23 competition.

The other Portland Guys all rode PRs and Curtis even got the U23 bronze.

Complete results: http://www.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2008-2598

Here is a not so high quality pic of the new Speedvagan track special.


Today the racing really gets started with Women’s 500 meter TT, Team Pursuit and Scratch race heats and with the Men’s 200 meter, first sprint rounds, Team Pursuit and Scratch race heats.