Bottles and Chainette Janelle Smith rode some pretty mean track @ the UCI World Masters Track Championships and won two GOLD MEDALS YO!! Top shit Janelle, all those boozy nights paid off I see? …unforntunately this bodes badly for an number of the boys @ B’n’C as their chances of beating Janelle on the loop this season are even lower than last… Best bit is Mischa can legitimately throw some rainbow hoops on Janelles B’n’C jersey, when he gets around to doing them that is (hint, hint..)
Stolen from http://www.tas.cycling.org.au/default.asp?Page=18857
“Hobart Cyclist Janelle Smith has proved that competitive cycling is not just for the boys. Recently returned from the UCI Masters World Track Cycling Championships in Sydney, Smith, 36, showed that training in a tough Tasmanian winter is great preparation for world class age group performance, winning the 35-39 years world championship for women in the 500m time trial and the match sprint. Janelle’s winning time in the time trial was 38.453 sec, an amazing average speed of 46.81 kph.
In addition to these gold medals, Janelle also won silver in the 200m pursuit and 12.5km points race proving that in addition to her sprinting prowess she also has great endurance with the latter events suited to the stayers of cycling like returning world champion in the pursuit, Michelle Crawford of New South Wales who won the gold in both the longer events.
“to win a world championship in the time trial far exceeded my expectations for the Championships but to back up and win the sprint against a world class racer like Michelle Crawford is a dream come true”, Smith said.
The sprint is a brutal event where riders must ride a qualifying 200m time trial to be seeded for the next rounds of match racing. Riders then have to compete in up to 9 leg bursting match sprints against a single competitor until the two survivors race for the gold medal.
In two glorious rides Smith came from behind with powerful surges to claim the best of 3 match 2-0 and win the World Championship. “I knew that I had to win the first round of the sprint final to have a chance but to ride the best two sprints of my life and win the gold medal final 2-0 was extremely pleasing”, said Smith who now turns her attention to the Basslink Christmas Carnivals Series.
Noting that the Australian Masters Track Cycling Championships will be held in April 2009 at Launceston’s Silverdome, Smith said “it will be a huge honour to compete for Tasmania, in my home state, wearing the jersey of the World Champion”.”
And just a quick reminder for my Southern B’n’C brethern, track racing in Hobart commences this Friday (24 October 2008) @ New Town Velodrome, 6.30pm. Apparently newcomers are welcome but subject to initation rites (that means you too Senor).
Congrats Janelle! Amazing news.