February 20/01 9:58 am - Track Camp, Jeanson Wins, UCI Rankings, Birthday

Posted by Editor on 02/20/01
 

National Track Camp in Burnaby
(courtesy Kurt Innes)

Okay, being from Calgary I am expecting that winters here in Vancouver are to be pretty mild ( a little wet, but mild ) . This morning we awoke to a beautiful blue sky, NO CLOUDS! The air was very crisp, the frost on the ground was a bit of a shock but no worries it soon lifted. Arrived at the velodrome at just after 9:30 am for our morning workout. Indoors in Burnaby is a great thing, except that the air temp is only a couple of degrees warmer than outdoors. This morning was a bit chilly for the riders and our coaching crew. + 7 CELCIUS was the actual temp indoors, but it felt much cooler! Not complaining, just saying it was a bit chilly that's all. Had to get that little whining bit in... It would be much easier for you to sympathize with me if you could have seen our collective coaching group with our teeth chattering as we watched the riders circle around us!

The morning session was a total blast, with the sprint group doing flying lap efforts in olympic sprint teams of 3, and the endurance gang doing a points race drill over 40 laps. The talent in the camp is very inspiring. All of the first time riders to Burnaby track (first time on a + 40 degree banking) are all mastering the very technical corners with no problems today. Both groups of 15 athletes are working very well together on the track, and looking totally professional! The National Team athletes here are also very dynamic and the friendly rivalries that are forming are also incredible to witness. Most of the nation's top sprint athletes are here, and they are all pushing each other each and every rep on the track. Makes the work that much easier to do knowing you are being pushed each time on the track.

This evening we had our 2nd practise of the day, again alongside the Burnaby Velodrome club members during one of their club sessions. After spending three days indoors here you sure do appreciate the luxury these locals are afforded. No where else in North America can you do what we did today! These athletes are able to ride indoors, with no worries about the weather, the moisture, the wind, the rain... Nothing to worry about except riding your bike!

Tomorrow's schedule includes a morning track session, followed by a weight session in the afternoon.

That's it for now...

Kurt


Jeanson Wins in Arizona
(courtesy Rona)

Geneviève Jeanson has started things well for her new team - Rona - by winning the Valley of the Sun stage race in Phoenix, Arizona. We are still waiting full results, but this is what we have so far.

Stage 1 - 18.5 km ITT
1. Geneviève Jeanson (Can) Team Rona 24:45 (44.8 kmph)
2. Elizabeth Emery (USA) Intersports at 0:43
3. Tina Mayolo (USA) Autotrader.com 1:40

Stage 2 - 106 km Road Race
1. Jeanson 2:54:25
2. Mayolo at 1:59
3. Amber Niben (USA) s.t.

Stage 3 - 40 minute Criterium
1. Mayolo
2. Niben s.t.

4. Jeanson at 0:25

Final GC
1. Jeanson 3:58:55
2. Mayolo at 2:54
3. Emery 2:57

8. Cybil DiGuistini (Can) Mantes-la Ville 78 4:48


UCI Women's Road Rankings

As of February 11, 2001