Day Four, Saturday, August 30, 1997
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Some results and all reports kindly supplied by
Graham Dowden.
Women's 500 metres time trialThe Women's Time Trial saw most of the sprinters lining up to try their explosive speed over 500m and just over half a minute of intense activity. A few competitors used aero bars for the second lap, the rest with upswept or in one case conventional drop bars. Short ans sweet was the order of the day, with most women getting a countdown and good applause throught their run. So bring on the starting gate ...First off was NZLs Fiona Ramage who rode a very strange black steel frame with several tubes between the headstem and rear wheel, and Keywin pedals with the track lock-in bolt. She posted 36.761. Yanovych UKR on conventioanl drop bars and Contreras Reys MEX (the only other Mexican?) kept it in the mid 36s until Jiang CHN with a front square section rim radially laced onto a high flange Record hub no less, burned the track for 35.930 which was to stand a long way down the start list. Reinhart USA, Szabolsci HUN, Larreal VEN and Troldi ITA, wearing a truly outrageous helmet painted yellow and black like a bee, complete with wings and eyes on the front, posted slower times in the 37s until the other Russion sprinter Enoukhina got second fastest of 36.083. Drama for Wendy Everson of GBR as she fell sideways with two seconds remaining on the countdown, which probably did nothing for her concentration but enabled her to get a restart and post 37.291. Hereafter the crowd counted down in a very hushed voice. Lone Finn Kasslin riding a lenticular FIR front disk as used by Tony Rominger on his hour record, got 37.696 until Katherin Freitag posted 36.423 for 3rd fastest so far, with Jiang CHN still holding first. But the big big guns had yet to fire. So down to the last five, with Dubnicoff first with a low 36.088, then big big muscular blocky chunky Olga Grichna RUS ("She's a real Olga" says the guy two seats up) has 20.0 for the fastest halfway split but can't hold it for just slower than Dubnicoff at 36.123 with Jiang still holding first. And her upswept bars were actually attached at the fork crown, not the top of' the head tube. Now her sprint semi finalist opponent Faure FRA is on the gate, bobbing her torso with the five last pips - cinq, quatre, trois, un, Allez! shooting out like a rocket and holding it hard on the last lap to down Jiang for fastest 35.590. Big cheers for Magali! Thunderous cheers for Ferris AUS, into the gate on her Superbike and off as the crowd totally swamps the PA on the back straight and home straight and into the back and down the front again with people banging the boards and 35.719 takes the lead! The applause is still going as three time sprint World Champion and two times Time Trail champion Felicia Ballanger gets herself into the gate for the countdown. As the last pip sounds she is down on the blue literally pulling the bike up with every upstroke of her titanic thighs and bringing them hard down lile a pile driver to ram the cranks into painful revolution. What power! And the power continues as she winds the bike up to warp speed out of the saddle to post a rivetting 19s halfway split. The crowd is subdued because nothing can hold her now and Ferris is second as she sits down in the back straight sprinting as if there was no tomorrow and holding her line and speed all the way around the second lap to annihilate the opposition and now second placed Ferris by a whole second for a stunning victory of 34.681! Bravo Felicia! And the so French national anthem sounds for the second time for Ballanger, now three time consecutive world Time Trail and Sprint Champion. Can any woman conceivably beat those amazing legs in the near future?
1. Felicia Ballanger (France) 34.681 seconds 2. Michelle Ferris (Australia) 35.719 3. Magali Faure (France) 35.898 4. Cuihua Jiang (China) 35.930 5. Galina Enioukhina (Russia) 36.083 6. Tanya Dubnicoff (Canada) 36.088 7. Olga Grichina (Russia) 36.123 8. Kathrin Freitag (Germany) 36.423 9. Nancy Contreras (Mexico) 36.500 10. Fiona Ramage (New Zealand) 36.761 11. Daniela Larreal (Venezuala) 36.762 12. Iryna Yanovych (Ukraine) 36.873 13. Szilvia Szabolsci (Hungary) 37.022 14. Wendy Everson (Britain) 37.291 15. Nicole Reinhart (U.S.) 37.320 Men's 4000, Team Pursuit Quarter FinalsAnd so the ride off time in the Team Pursuit, and first off it was 4th fastest Germany against Italy. The Italians were one second up by two laps gone, dropped as the Germans came back to 0.6, just held 0.2 for some laps then held it further for a very close win in a fast time.ITA 4.07.904 bt GER 4.08.790 Third qualifiers USA were then against 6th Russia in another close round. The USA pulled to 0.1 by 4 laps cutting a very clean profile with a very well drilled team, while the Russians had one guy with a particular bobbing style. RUS dropped one man with 5 to go which did not help them, and a little later the USA did the same, but increasing their lead of 0.6 to finished further ahead. USA 4.08.224 bt RUS 4.09.662 The suprisingly fast Ukraine were next up against the also suprising New Zealanders. UKR pulled out 1.3 by 2 laps gone and kept charging. With 6 to go they were in the same straight, both teams dropped a man with 3 to go and in the home straight the leading Ukrainian went on a sprint mission to zoom past the rear Kiwi while his team mates scrabbled in his wake. Needless to say the scoreboard was upset, registering an intial 4.04 as it timed the first Ukrainian, then dropping as it measured the last man. A scorching time nevertheless. UKR 4.05.830 ploughed through NZL 4.12.701 Last up, fastest France went against Spain, roaring off to 0.9 by 2 laps gone and increasing this with a very well discliplined perfomance to be in the same straight as the Spaniards with 4 to go, and finishing in a melee of bodies as they ran up the back of ESP as their gun went off. FRA 4.06.368 ct ESP 4.13.748 Men's 4000, Team Pursuit SemifinalsThe Team Pursuit Semi Finals matched France vs Italy for the first round, then the suprisingly fast Ukrainian team against the USA.Italy went to an early lead of 0.2 at 2 laps, then slowly increased this to 1.0 at half way, with a brief challenge by faster qualifying and previously riding France to change the gap from 1.6, 1.4, 1,2 then slowly increase with three to go to 1.4, 1.8, 1.9 and win at the gun by 2.1. Perhaps some smart planning by the Italian coach as their previous bets time was 4.07 in the quarter finals. ITA 4.05.711 bt FRA 4.07.863 Fastest so far Ukraine with a 4.05.8 in the quarterfinal were never seriously challenged by the USA, getting to 0.4 ahead by one lap and increasinf this to 1.0, 1.4, 2.3, 2.9 to being in the same straight with 3 to go as the USA dropped a man and they finsihed strongly for a clear win. UKR 4.06.257 bt USA 4.09.914. So through to the final for UKR and ITA while fastest losing time FRA take the bronze.
Italy (Andrea Capelli, Cristiano Citton, Andrea Collinelli, Mario Benetton) 4:05.815 seconds beat France (Carlos Da Cruz, Philippe Ermenault, Jerome Neuville, Franck Perque) 4:07.880 Ukraine (Alexander Klimenko, Alexander Fedenko, Sergei Matveyev, Alexander Simonenko) 4:06.225 beat United States (Mariano Freidick, Adam Laurent, Tommy Mulkey, Christian Vandevelde) 4:09.980 Men's 4000, Team Pursuit FinalAll set for the final showdown as a little over an hour after winning their semis, the Ukrainian and Italian teams line up on oppostie sides of the track against each other.The Ukranians have adopted an angled line-up, with their bottom man in the gate on the line while the rest of the team are slightly stepped back to the top man on the boards. They are all riding Lotus type monocoques, two yellow and two white, with brown discs, while the Italians are on their usual Pinarellos. They're off and driving with UKR taking an early lead of 0.4, holding at 0.6, 0.7 the Itlainas coming back at 0.4, then out again to 0.7, 0.9, 1.2, this is looking serious, 1.0 a slight reprieve, then the young Ukrainians keeping it up with Italy unable to follow as the gap grows to 1.5, 1.3, 1.6, 1.5 with three to go it has to be in the bag for the Ukraine then BANG, whipping my head around to the home bend there is a pile of Ukranians, yes three of them, sliding down the banking to land in a pile on the infield with the medicos running in and over in the oppostie bend Italy continuing to ride. Disaster! The Ukranians are lying in a heap being cradled by medics and coaches. The Italian coach is yelling and waving at his team as they pass to keep riding in between seeing if the Ukranians are OK. Nobody notices the gun go off as the Italians finish in 4.10.973, everyone is standing up, the Ukranians are slowly getting up, utterly stunned, a bit of skin lost and skinsuits burned through but no serious damage apparent. The crowd is on their feet giving them a standing ovation as they limp back to home while the Italians warm down for a phyrric victory. Noe the Ukranians are sitting in their corral. Their mechanic is leaning over his rack of bikes weeping. One of the lads is weeping. Another is just staring straight ahead as the adrenalin and lactate mix in a pool in his heart and the certainty of taking gold by physique and skill has been smashed by accident. ITA 4.10.973 bt UKR DNF So a tragic ending for what would certainly have been a fine Ukranian victory, which nevertheless saw them retain the silver while France took bronze and Italy the gold. At the medal ceremony there is a thunderous standing ovation for the Ukranians, and again on their victory lap, while the Italians promenade with two of them holding a big Italian flag over their head. Forza Italia! Well, the Ukraine really ... Italy (Andrea Capelli, Cristiano Citton, Andrea Collinelli, Mario Benetton) 4:10.225 beat Ukraine (Alexander Klimenko, Alexander Fedenko, Sergei Matveyev, Alexander Simonenko - did not finish Men's Sprint, Quarter-finalsEighth FinalsRousseau FRA continued his winning ways by downing Peden AUS with consumate ease. Immediately following his defeat, Peden was seen giving Hilly state secrets as he warmed up on his road bike. Who said the sprint was a solitary discipline? Chiappa ITA had a big lead going to the bell which was swept up by Gane FRA with ease. Thereafter Chiappa made no effort to win against Nothstein USA in the repechage, who also downed Trebski POL after his earlier easy defeat by Van Eijden GER. Hill AUS and Pokorny GER went neck and neck for the entire bell laps with some robust shoulder contact, then Eyk backed off and Hill cruised home. In the repechage, Pokorny kicked in the back straight after some wild swoops and zoomed home as Tournant FRA sat up and Peden also realised he was beaten. Nothstein USA made a crazy attempt to come up underneath Berzins LAT while he was driving the sprinters line in the home straight, and was rightly sent to the repechage, from which he returned. Quarter Finals Things were getting close the the action now, with best of three for four lucky pairs. Nothstein USA could not pass a fast 10.882 Rousseau FRA in the first round, then engaged in some wild hooks which failed to worry M. Vitesse himself who won cleanly on the last bend by speed alone. Gane FRA and Pokorny won one each with a close finish each time, then Pokorny turned on the boost for the tiebreak and got the decider cleanly on the line. Fielder downed his team mate Van Eijden two love, with no love lost between them, Van Eijden wearing an aero helmet to distinguish him from Jens' funny dome shaped number favoured by the Germans. Both times it looked like Van Eijden got it on the line, but the guy next to me assured me Fielder knew exactly where he was, and who was I to argue? Hill AUS turned on the gas with 1.5 to go against Berzins, getting his head down and coming throught despite Berzins charge down the home straight. In the second bout Berzins stuck on Hill's wheel but Hill was too fast.
Florian Rousseau (10.882 and 11.403 seconds for the last 200 metres) beat Marty Nothstein (U.S.) 2-0 Eyk Pokorny (Germany) 10.782/11.011 beat Laurent Gane (France) 10.909, 2-1 Jens Fiedler (Germany) 10.960/11.096 beat Jan Van Eijden (Germany) 2-0 Darryn Hill (Australia) 10.836/11.028 beat Viesturs Berzins (Latvia) 2-0 Women's 3,000 metres individual pursuit - Quarter FinalsAfter their very close tussle in the qualifier, Bellutti of Italy once agains raced against Karimova of Russia who had previously beaten her by just 0.16 seconds.As before, the Italian took the early lead, holding it to 0.4s with 4 laps down, then the Russian with her big gear and loping style ran her down to 0.15, 0.6 and despite the protestations and encouragment of the Italian coach, went to a 0.15 lead to which Bellutti could not respond as she dropped by 0.4, 0.9, 1.5 and slowed further on the last lap to finish 3.2 behind at the bell and nearly 6 seconds down at the gun. Score 2-0 in favour of Russia with Bellutti out of the semifinal. Karimova RUS 3.38.669 bt Bellutti ITA 3.44.456 The smooth and second fastest qualifier Yvonne McGregor GBR was then up against 6th fastest Karen Barrow of AUS. GBR was off to a slower start in her bigger gear by 1.2 at one lap down, but wound it up to bring the lead back to 0.9, 0.4 then take a lead of 1.2. Despite the applause for the home town favourite, she was not strong enough to hold the former Hour record holder who surged away to be in the same straight as her opponent by the bell and take a comfortable victory in a relatively slow time in the 3.40s. McGregor GBR 3.41.929 bt Barrow AUS 3.48.326 Charlie Walsh was seen firing up his next charge Lucy Tyler-Sharman of AUS in the infield prior to her starting against Karen Kurreck of the USA. Unsuprising, former sprinter Tyler-Sharman was up by 1.7 at the first lap, then settled down with Kurreck holding her at 2.3, 2.1, 2.2 then 2.3. Charlie wasn't moving or saying anything on the sideline, as Tyler-Sharman continued to extend her lead, pumping her upper body while Kurreck rode smooth as an arrow with bared teeth. Now she was in the same straight with Charlie brusquely waving his hand and looking over the top of his specs "Go! Go!" and Tyler-Sharman won by a good margin. Tyler-Sharman AUS 3.39.242 bt Kurreck USA 3.45.336 Last pair in the quarter finals were fastest qualifier Judith Arndt of Germany against slowest Rebecca Twigg USA. The result was foregone as the young Arndt swept away to an early lead of 0.8 by one lap which the veteran Twigg could not respond to. Arndt caught her with 1.5 laps to go, while Twigg collapsed in the last lap to post the slowest time in the competition of 3.52.504. Arndt GER 3.37.929 ct Twigg USA 3.52.504 So the semifinal line up is Karimova RUS, McGregor GBR, Tyler-Sharman AUS and Arndt GER
Natalia Karimova (Russia) 3:38.669 beat Antonella Bellutti (Italy) 3:44.465 Yvonne McGregor (Britain) 3:41.929 beat Karren Barrow (Australia) 3:48.326 Lucy Tyler-Sharman 3:39.242 beat Karen Kurrek (U.S.) 3:45.336 Judith Arndt (Germany) 3:37.927 caught and beat Rebecca Twigg (U.S.) Individual Pursuit, Women - QualifierThis morning's relatively short session saw several of last night's Point's Race medalists and participants lining up to qualifiy for the Women's Individual Pursuit. Australia's hopes rested with former US sprinter turned pursuiter Lucy Tyler-Sharman, and Karen Barrow, while multiple medalist Rebecca Twigg and the frequently-reported on the internet Karen Kurreck were riding for the USA. Also for Anglophones, Yvonne McGregor, recent women's world hour record holder. For Italophones, Antonella Bellutti, world number 1 track rider for 1997. Which reminds me, I yelled Forza Italia at sprinter Giovanna Troldi on her training ride and was greeted by a wave. Oh for a white Coppi and azzuri team strip!OK, lets race. Point's race silver medalist Ruano ESP was first up against Arndt GER. Unfortunately for ESP, her effort last night appeared to be too much and she was in the German's sight by 4 laps gone. A sudden thought, was the Spaniard trying to lull the German into a false sense of security then steal a lap at the last moment? Senores e senoritas, no! Arndt won by a mile. Arndt GER 3.37.540 ct Ruano ESP 3.48.439 Next Rebecca Twigg of the USA on a radical black carbon Corima took on Karen Barrow on a white Australian Superbike. Here it was probably a case of youth vs age (relatively speaking), as Barrow pulled away by 1.0 at 2 laps down, increased her lead to 2.2, 2.6. 2.8 and survived a late challenge to win by a final margin of 2.2 against the silky smooth Twigg with her blond ponytail waving in the breeze. Barrow AUS 3.44.827 bt Twigg USA 3.47.15 Razmeiyte of Lithuania was off to a wobbly start next against Kurreck USA on a GT Superbike with yellow aero helmet. LIT was 1.9 up by 4 gone, looking very determined on a "standard" Corima yellow frame with two brown disks. Kurreck fought back, or maybe just got going, and brought the lead back to 0.9 then 0.5, then took it herself to win by 1.2 at the end. Kurreck USA 3.45.868 bt Razmeiyte LIT 3.47.125 Next up, Bellutti of Italy against last night's Points Race gold medalist Karimova of Russia. Bellutti, on steel frame with silver helmet no doubt borrowed from team mate Collinelli, took an early lead of 0.9 by 2 laps gone, increased it to 1.1, 1.2 then 2.0. Then an utterly extraordiary turnaround - in the last two laps the Russian, showing practically no sign of last night's Points victory, sprinted home to win on the line by 0.16! Karimova RUS 3.41.614 bt Bellutti ITA 3.41.774 And so to to the last round of this women's pursuit qualifier, as Phill Ligget would say. In fact, he probably did, sitting up there in the top row of the press boxes, just under the commentators room. I know he was. I saw him. Big cheers for Lucy Tyler-Sharman of AUS as she launched out of the gate at a tremendous pace reminiscent of her earlier sprint career to take a gigantic lead of 1.6 by lap 1, then 2.5 by lap 2!! Then she slowed and Yvonne McGregor of GBR kept going on her Hotta monocoque with front Mavic 5 spoke carbon wheel. Riding exceedingly cleanly, McGregor pegged her back to 1.9, 1.4, 0.6, this was getting very close and the crowd was exercising their lungs, including the young girl two seats away who could shout a cocky out of its tree at 100m by the sound of it: "Ca-aarn Ozzie!" Tyler-Sharman was giving it her all, but so was McGregor, the very big women against the English arrow, the gap was now 0.4, then 0.2, the crowd is crazy, my ears and lungs are exploding - Tyler-Sharman grabs the lead by 0.05, this is frantic ... the bell has rung, Charlie Walsh flicks his index finger down the track at Tyler-Sharman "Just get on with it!", and she does, scraping home by 0.3. Big, big applause follows for the second and third fastest times so far. A superb round, in fact nearly the only change of lead we have seen in the all the pusuits, and one that bodes very well for the semis ... Tyler-Sharman AUS 3.37.833 bt McGregor GBR 3.38.679 Qualifiers * Arndt GER 3.37.540 * Tyler-Sharman AUS 3.37.833 * McGregor GBR 3.38.679 * Karimova RUS 3.41.614 * Bellutti ITA 3.41.774 * Barrow AUS 3.44.827 * Kurreck USA 3.45.868 * Twigg USA 3.47.15 * Razmeiyte LIT 3.47.125 |