Emile Abraham on the Fixed Gear Classic

(by Emile Abraham, Team Type 1)
2004 (Monex Pro Cycling Team): 2nd on Stage 4, Red Wing Road Race

After leaving Atlanta where the weather was 100 degrees and sunny it was nice to be racing in somewhat cooler weather. This was my first time racing on a wooden outdoor track and I absolutely loved it! Initially I thought my weekend would be a disaster as my bike did not arrive in Minneapolis just hours before I was schedule to race the first event. Luckily for me it was sent on the next flight from Atlanta which I received at 5:15pm and racing started at 6pm. A close call but very happy of the outcome…. There was a small reunion as I had not seen a few riders since the track World Cups and raced with Roberto Chiappa at my local West Indies vs the World cycling series in Trinidad and Tobago.

Not being a pure sprinter I was told I needed to start every event in order to be in the running for the omnium. This weekend was my first flying 200TT in many years and recorded 11.732 seconds which was a personal best for me. I had motivation from there on and told Chiappa to watch out! LOL

By the end of the night I was leading the omnium by a mere 2 points over Ben Barczewski and Reberto. Then it was off to the wrong side of the track for what was the icing on the cake for the weekend, a cook out with some really cool people who like to have a good time…. For me that’s right up my ally! I was able to go to bed well relaxed after a great evening of racing and liming (hanging out).

Day 2

Now I have made new friends and excited to compete again looking to defend my overall omnium placing. I knew all I needed was 11 points to secure my position in the omnium, with no stress the atmosphere was very relaxed…. By now I had fans in the crowed cheering for me and what more can an athlete ask for than people in the stands yelling their name? The answer…. More people yelling their name….haha

Winning the miss and out event would have most of the points I need to secure the omnium, but not having the position in the group where I would normally race the miss and out had me punching other riders tickets from the back bringing it down to a match sprint. The crowd cheering for me gave me that extra to pull of the win, now I need at least a fourth in the kerin. My legs were tired so I knew that a smart race would be a necessity and BAMM!!!! I pulled it off and was very happy. This surely made the fact that I was not riding Philly all good. The MN Fixed Gear Classic is probably the most fun I have had racing for the year.

Special thanks to everyone who made the race possible and went out off their way to ensure that the out of state riders were comfortable and had everything they needed. I would definitely come back….

Thanks for reading,
Emile Abraham

Keeping up with the competition

Can’t make it out to all the races of the Great River Energy Bike Festival?

Well don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with webcasts and live updates via twitter.

Webcast Schedule:
June 7 6:30 PM CST MN Fixed Gear Classic www.myfox9.com
June 8 1:00 PM CST MN Fixed Gear Classic www.nscsports.org/velo
June 13 6:45 PM CST Nature Valley Grand Prix www.myfox9.com
June 15 12:00 PM CST Nature Valley Grand Prix www.myfox9.com

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/grebikefestival

June Podcast and More

Don't forget to check out the new June Podcast over at our website and while you're there you can also listen to racer interviews from the KDOG Morning Show in Mankato, site of our Queen Stage.

The June podcast takes you inside the Nature Valley Grand Prix peloton with Jeff Corbett, former team director. Find out if there's a connection between the Nature Valley Grand Prix and the Giro d'Italia - in our trivia segment much more from Super Rookie and Company.

MN Fixed Gear Classic - Outdoor Wood Track Insanity

posted by (Jennifer Triplett)

First of all, having an outdoor wooden track is insane. I only say this because I willingly live in a part of the country where it actually rains nine months of the year (the rumors are true!). Take for instance our weather this year. Everyone in Seattle remembers exactly where they were and what they did that one 80 degree day in April. Why? Because it usually doesn't stop raining till late June.  Then last weekend we saw record temps soar into the 90's, creating massive river flooding due to our unusually high snow pack in several counties across Washington. Two days later, it's back to normal with low 60s as a daytime high and a damp chill in the air.  A wooden track just wouldn't last here - it's simply too wet.

As a track racer, I look forward to the summer heat. Your body moves easier, your joints don't protest as much and it just feels good. So far this spring we've been teased by abnormal heat, which just means that I can't wait to visit a part of the country that is actually warm and dry!

My local track, Group Health Velodrome in Marymoor Park, has already hosted three weeks of preseason racing. We have to deem May as "preseason" because far to often we are rained out. But luckily the "dry" weather has held so far - and tomorrow night is the final preseason before regular Friday Night Racing begins. In an attempt to prepare for the upcoming MN Fixed Gear Classic, I've been racing with the Category 3 men. It's a great way to test my fitness and work on out-sprinting the fellas. This is my second season hanging with the guys and they've definitely accepted me, although I still hear some grumbling when I beat them in a sprint. ;)  And although it's still early season for track (Elite Track Nationals aren't until October!) - my legs are getting quickly accustomed to my race gear. Though I could stand it to be a little warmer!

A friend of mine says the NSC Velodrome is her favorite track in the country. I really do think it's cool to have an outdoor wooden track and am jealous of those who get to put in some serious mileage going in circles there. As I test my ability tomorrow night, I'll also be dreaming of warmer temps and wooden planks.