UCI Masters World Track Sprint Championships 2022
Location Los Angles California
So nice to be back travelling also catching up with friends and rivals.
The sprint was the main focus for me this year and everything seemed to go to plan. First round qualification 200m 11.115 seconds (average speed 64.77kph) seeded number one.
Racing was tight as always through the rounds but won my way through to the finals to race Gary Mandy. Sprint racing is always best of 3 which you draw for start positions. After the draw Gary had to lead the first match. I wanted to get the lead so jumped past him in the back straight and started to increase the speed. Bell ringing for the last lap Mandy taking some height to get some extra speed I jumped out of the seat to get to top speed and held him off to take the first match.
Second match I had to lead. I guess Mandy losing the first match from the back really wanted to get to the front after a few moves up and down the banking came over the top and took the lead. Speed was on down the back straight 375m to go. Around to get the bell speed really high and Mandy about 10 metres in front of me. Into the back straight 125m to go still about 8 metres gap I set my sights on Mandy and gave it everything. Into the slipstream and around him in the final bend to power up the final straight to take the win and the title.
Checking the equipment technology in LA that is being used now and is getting riders to speeds no-one ever thought possible was interesting. My next big event will be Nationals in April so we are working on a few things to get faster. One thing I will not be changing is tyres, those Vittoria Pista Oro are super quick but still so secure as at the slower speeds around those wooden banks.
Here is a video link if you would like to watch and time through the recording so you don’t have to watch 5 hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acav3JteRQA&t=5s
Race 1 is 2 hours 13 minutes, Race 2 is 2 hours 37 minutes
Have fun
Geoff Stoker