Revolution 23

[brianivory]

Folks,
Not sure if ya'll know but Sarah (outdoorescape) will be competing at Manchester Velodrome next saturday in 3 races on a track bike, fixed gear no brakes (Mental) at an event called Revolution 23. The event is invite only and attracts a very high standard of competitors from around the globe (see www.cyclingrevolution.com/content/en/default_gb.aspx)

On behalf of the Club I'd like to wish Sarah the very best of luck and lots of speed!!!

Brian Ivory

[rbracken]

Track bike has no freewheeling either so there's no change of stopping pedaling! Think of those pedal brakes on your bike when u were a kid ... great for skidding around corners (and knocking down grannies )

[bboyle]

Beat of luck Sarah..... let us know how you get on.

[gduffy]

Best of Luck Sarah

Heard that this is an invite only event and has a number of former Olympians taking part.

Go fast........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brianivory]

Folks,
Race report from Sarah below....Well Done!!

'“On the 4thJanuary, hubby Steven and I set out for Newport velodrome to get some much needed track time ready for racing the revolution 23. When I first went on the track in October I decided that a goal for my track riding would be to try and get to the revolution at some point in 09, I had no idea I would be asked in January 09 so I was very very nervous!

I spent the week working closely with Courtney, an exceptionally good coach from the UK which I have been really lucky to have had helping me (maybe he thought I was a little mad!). Steven and I both raced in the B league on the Tuesday and having beaten Steven, I really was on a high and felt confident about the Revolution - sorry Steven - it’s the first time this has happened! After Tuesday I just looked after myself with a couple of short rides on the rollers practising for the Revolution, I didn’t want to fall off warming up in front of 4000 people!

We got to Manchester on the Friday and basically sat around waiting to Saturday night and signed on at 6pm ready for a 7pm start. It was such an awesome feeling walking out to the track centre in company of such talented athletes & it took me about 10 minutes before I could look around at the crowd! I went into the changing rooms really nervous when I saw Sarah Storey in her world champ stripes, I was, however, a little more nervous on the start line next to her..

Courtney thankfully was there keeping me calm and making sure I did everything at the right time, drinking warming up etc.. My first race was the 5km points race, a sprint after every 5 laps, followed by a 5km scratch (behind the motorbike) and then a 2km dash. The races were, as expected, fast from the word go and we found ourselves doing over 30 miles an hour behind the motor bike, I can however say I raced better than I could have imagined and was able to compete as an equal to the other girls. My best race was by far the 2km dash, which I was expecting to be the worst. It was only 6 laps long and with 2 to go I tried to break on the outside, I actually felt strong enough to have won the race but my inexperience and nerves got the better of me as 2 girls came very close each side of me and I eased off, terrified, as they brushed past each shoulder! – it was a good sign though as nearly all of the girls (except the 3 of us from Ireland) regularly practice the techniques of riding close and barging through in a sprint & are on the track every week.

All in all a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to get back on the track again!'

[gduffy]

Sarah

Fantastic reading and a great achievement.

We look forward to reading about further successes for you in 09.

Stephen, better start taking some of your own expert turbo advice if you want to catch her !!

GD

[gor]

well done sarah franzoni, great to hear you enjoyed it while cycling at that pace and level, dont worry about steve he will hav to get used to it, well done, A Gorry

[gor]

well done sarah franzoni, great to hear you enjoyed it while cycling at that pace and level, dont worry about steve he will hav to get used to it, well done, A Gorry

[bboyle]

Well done Sarah, great report, really enjoyed it.... must meet up to go through the finer details sometime (maybe some mountain biking in Mullaghmine....?)

Brian