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As track worlds wrap up, Connie Carpenter says track racing seems bigger and more diverse than ever.

By Connie Carpenter
Published: Mar. 29, 2009
2009 UCI Track Worlds: A gracious and surprised winner — Omnium winner Leigh Howard of Australia.
2009 UCI Track Worlds: A gracious and surprised winner — Omnium winner Leigh Howard of Australia.
Photo: Connie Carpenter

Editor's Note: Connie Carpenter is in Pruszkow, Poland, covering the Track World Championships for VeloNews.com while supporting her son, Taylor Phinney. Carpenter is a former world champion on the track and an avid fan of track cycling.

Track cycling seems much bigger and more diverse than ever before. While some may criticize the Brits for winning just two jerseys here in Poland, most of us are admiring the fact that so many countries represented so well … with the Aussies dominating the medal tally with ten medals.

The team of Taylor Phinney (USA) finished seventh in the standings (two medals). The Brits, finished behind France (!) when the medals are weighted (ie., more weight for gold) but in fact won nine medals. In all, 18 countries won medals.

Today we heard the Chinese national anthem (Guo for the keirin), the Italian national anthem (Bronzini — points race), French for the sprint (Bauge) and Australian (Howard) for the Omnium.

Several countries had breakthroughs — like Malaysia, winning their first (bronze in the Kilo) and second (silver in the sprint) medals ever … the back story on Aziz Awang is that he was the eighth child of nine in his family, from a poor fishing village. His family had to literally ‘farm’ him out to another family and from those humble beginnings … he found cycling. Today he was the second best sprinter in the world!

Omnium recap – Taylor took his licks in the mass start races but definitely started to find his groove in the Points Race. He acquitted himself well in the timed events — finishing fifth in the 200 meters, second in the pursuit, and second in the kilo. The winner, Leigh Howard, was consistent throughout as was second place Zach Bell. The bigger surprise was the bronze medalist, Tim Veldt, who came from seventh to third.

As I finish this recap back at the USA Team hotel, I’m being treated to a local soccer game which reminds me that in the world of sports — it’s never over. Stay tuned … and thanks for reading!

--Connie

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