October 2/09 18:50 pm - Caracol de Pista Track Race: Day 1 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 10/2/09
 

Gran Caracol de Pista: Day 1

The start of a new month signaled the start of the 2009 Caracol de Piste Classic. The Canadian crew of David Boily, Monique Sullivan and Laura Brown grew restless hanging out at the hotel waiting for the 4:30 pm departure as the day was only broken up by meals. A nice surprise arrived at 3pm when the organizers showed up with two custom skinsuits for each rider. We are racing for local sponsors Shimano and GW bikes and the skinsuits for every rider here has their National flag on the bottom cuff of each leg. This has become the norm here in Colombia. We have been looked after at all times. The food has been excellent, accommodations are very nice, and transfers to the track for training and racing are an adventure in themselves. We are taken by mini vans that are the size of a North American minivan but with 20 seats in them. Each van is escorted by armed traffic, district, tourist, and National police all on motorcycles and we drive in a convoy at breakneck speeds in rush hour traffic, the motos guarding our passage with flashing lights, sirens and blowing whistles. Sitting near the front of the vans is like experienceing a real life version of Grand Turismo with some very close calls and even a small rear ender between two of our vans the other day (only minor damage and a lot of laughing on our parts).

The races on the first night for both men and women consisted of flying 200m ( which is a separate event and qualifying for the sprints ), sprints ( 1 heat only until finals ), scratch race, and a points race with 4 sprints every 4 laps, points going 3,2,1. The organizers here not only look after us very well but they have provided excellent prize money. $500 for the winner of each event, $300 for second and $200 for third for both men and women. Points, while we race for a sponsor's team are individually tallied for the overall title which awards the winner $3500, $2500 for second and $1500 for third. In addition there is more prize money for the feature events of keirin and Madison later in the program.

The evening started off with an excellent performance in the 200m by Monique who clocked an 11.945. This placed her in 3rd overall and they had raised the prize money on the day with Monique pocketing $400. Monique then faced Colombian Martiza Ceballos. Monique rode a strong race but was relegated on a highly questionable call that was not even posted in the results. Monique was then just finished her cool down when she was called to the line for her 3 up rep. Thinking she had won the first ride Monique gathered her composure quickly and then easily dispatched her two Colombian opponents in the rep to advance to her rightful spot in the quarter finals.

David and Laura both raced well in the 4x4 points race but positioning for sprints proved difficult for David who finished safely in the bunch. Laura scored a point in the first sprint and had some good gas for the final sprint but was too far back. Laura ended up tied on points for 6th but 9th based on final sprint position. These two were also in the final events of the evening with David contesting the 7.5 km scratch race. David had good positioning for the early and late portions of the race but was swarmed with 3 laps to go. Colombians finished first, second, and third. Laura's 24 lap 6km scratch race was the final event on the evening and Laura rode the perfect race until 2 laps to go when a near collision in front of her lost her position. She recovered a little to place 7th. All in all an excellent start to the three day competition.

On the way home we were treated to some acrobatic motorcycle riding by the police escort. These guys are pretty amazing. One of our escorts with two riders on the bike did a front wheelie for a good 100m at 70-80 km per hour. All this amidst raging traffic. Very insane but amazing bike handling.

Report by Jeremy Storie - team coach

Note: These are the official results as supplied by the organization