Elite Nationals At Anna Meares Velodrome

[foo on patrol]

Next weekend, anyone going? I'm still working out what day I will go for a looksies.

Foo

[Derny Driver]

Elites in Brisbane and Junior States in Sydney the same weekend. Our local coach here (ex NSWIS) is travelling to Brisbane with the Elites so I have been asked to look after the u17 squad in Sydney which Im pretty excited about.

[foo on patrol]

Well, that's a big feather in ya cap, DD.

Foo

[foo on patrol]

Been some bloody good racing at this meet.

Foo

[Derny Driver]

Been some bloody good racing at this meet.

Foo

Yes it appears so mate. Would be great to see it.

I was at Junior States yesterday ... its great working with kids. They listen and do exactly as you say.
My motto for the day was 'Curb your enthusiasm'. Trying to get excited kids to not ride the first 2 laps of the pursuit like it was a 2 lap time trial. I must have said 50 times "Dont start too fast".
Anyway they were great and all the ones I managed did PB pursuit times and I ended up with 3 Gold, 1 bronze and a 5th. Everyone super happy especially me as I felt under pressure to make the right calls walking the line and adjusting the schedules.

The keirin racing was amazing. These kids have no fear. One of my u17 boys was twice sandwiched and boxed in with riders on his left and right but he rode through an impossible gap on both occasions end up in a 3 way tie/photo finish. The commentator said it was the best keirin race he had ever seen. It was handlebar to handlebar but the boys have amazing skills and they were going flat out as soon as the derny swung off. Then, in typical fashion, over come the commissaires to break the kids heart and relegate him for not giving someone 'racing room'. No-one protested or complained, it was just great racing. So I had to pick up the pieces after than and calm him and the parents down.

[foo on patrol]

One of the things that astounded me was, there were three heats in a row in the heats of the Elite Men, where the Vic riders and they were slower qualifiers jumped the quicker sprinters and made them look stupid! They took off real early and the quicker ones just didn't show any respect and they lost out.

Foo

[foo on patrol]

Well after watching the Nationals and the performances of the youngins, I think the next few years are in good hands. No world records but plenty of room for improvement.

Foo