Enter for a Chance to Win a Trip for Two to the Tour De France Finale—P. 7 SARAH HAMMER
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Enter for a chance to win a trip for two to the Tour de France finale—p. 7 SARAH HAMMER: on the right track to Beijing Last month, Hammer became the first American woman in 20 years to capture back‐to‐back world titles on the track—p.2 Arielle Martin takes a run on the BMX track at the Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs during USA Cycling’s BMX Camp. Photo: Casey Gibson www.usacycling.org April 13, 2007 Page 2 Cover: Hammer will be a favorite for the gold in Beijing Sarah scored the first set of back‐to‐back world track titles in 20 years Three years ago, Sarah Hammer took a break from cycling. She sold most of her equipment, worked different jobs, took classes, and enjoyed a carefree schedule. She didn’t intended to come back. But that all changed when she watched the 2004 Olympic Games and regained her dream of becoming an Olympian. In the fall of 2004, Hammer got back on the bike. out all year, so I didnʹt want to go another 365 With the help of her coach, Andy Sparks, she has days without the rainbow.ʺ made a convincing comeback that puts her in ʺWe said that tonight I was going to throw it all medal contention as her focus turns to Beijing. the way down,ʺ Hammer said after her win. ʺThis At the 2006 World Championships in France, morning I threw it down completely too, but was Sarah’s success in the three‐kilometer individual somewhat safe once I heard my splits and knew pursuit gave her the first elite world title on the where I was at. I knew I was on pace to make it to track for an American woman in 11 years. the final. But once youʹre in the final against one other person going for that rainbow jersey, you Since her comeback, she’s also scored five World can really kick it.ʺ Cup gold medals. Before Hammer, Rebecca Twigg was the last Then, to prove that she’s still on an upward spike, American woman to capture back‐to‐back world the 23‐year‐old defended her world title last titles on the track in 1984 and 1985. month in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and became the first American woman in 20 years to claim After a 2006 season that saw three American back‐to‐back world titles on the track. women win elite world titles (Hammer in the pur‐ suit, Kristin Armstrong in the time trial and Jill Above: Hammer receives instruction from Coach Andy Sparks In the qualifying round, she didn’t only capture during the qualification round in which she earned the top seed. Kintner in 4‐cross), Hammer hopes her latest ac‐ Below: Hammer stands with silver and bronze medalists Rebecca the top seed for the second year in a row, but she complishment starts another successful year. Romero (GBR) and Katie Mactier (AUS). clocked a personal best and lowered the national Photos: Casey Gibson record with her time of 3:31.359. ʺI think itʹs exciting for American women. Hope‐ fully I got the ball rolling and we can have an‐ In the final, the California rider was paired with other win in the time trial and mountain bike.ʺ Great Britain’s Rebecca Romero who clocked a surprising 3:31.894 in qualifying. In addition to Hammer’s world title, the U.S. took home another medal compliments dof Bra Huff. Romero, a former world‐class rower with a world title and Olympic silver medal to her credit, has Huff won bronze in the inaugural omnium event been a competitive cyclist for less than a year. to become the first American male to medal at the elite track world championships in nine years. “Rebecca wasn’t a surprise,” Hammer said later. “She was flying under the radar maybe a little bit, After ending the morning session ranked third but I definitely knew who she was.” after three events, he temporarily dropped to eighth place overall after the points race, but re‐ En route to her victory over Romero, Sarah put bounded with a strong performance in the kilo‐ forth a remarkable performance, riding faster than meter time trial. she did in qualifying and lowering her national record for the third time since January. The American finished the five‐event competition with 37 points, tied with Aliaksandr Lisouski of She claimed the rainbow jersey with a time of Belarus, but won the tiebreaker with a lower cu‐ 3:30.213 compared to Romero’s mark of 3:33.409. mulative time in the three timed events. ʺI couldnʹt be happier,ʺ she said. ʺThe first one, of Continued on next page course, is always special, but I didnʹt want to be non‐world champion this year. I mean I lived it www.usacycling.org April 13, 2007 Page 3 Cover continued... FEATURES Sarah Hammer on track for Beijing—2 U.S. captures two medals at Track Worlds Cycling coach nominated for USOC award—5 Andy Sparks—one of 5 finalists for Coach of the Year Get your AMGEN Tour of California poster—5 Poster available for purchase online Enter to win the cycling trip of a lifetime—7 Hampton dan VERSUS are giving away a trip for two to the 2007 Tour de France. Brad Huff became the first American male to medal at an elite‐level track world championship in nine years. Photos: Casey Gibson DEPARTMENTS Huff’s total cumulative time from the kilo‐ have such bad legs today, but Iʹm excited I meter time trial, the pursuit and the 200‐ was able to get third somehow.ʺ Letter from the CEO—4 meter time trial added up to 4:42.788 com‐ The U.S. finished the event tied for fifth in Coach’s Corner with William R. Black—6 pared to Lisouskiʹs 4:42.964. The quarter‐ the overall medal standings with two ‐ Recovery on the Edge: the Ignored Component of Training second time difference was enough to give Hammerʹs gold and Huff’s bronze. Great him the bronze. Get to Know USA Cycling’s Staff—7 Britain dominated the event with 11 medals Jan Luke‐Hamasaki It was the first elite track world champion‐ ‐ seven of them gold ‐ while Australia and ship medal for an American male since Erin the Netherlands won six each. Collegiate Corner—8 Hartwell won a bronze medal in the kilome‐ First Women’s Collegiate All‐Star team announced; ʺWeʹre continuing to take positive steps for‐ ter time trial in 1998. It was also the first ECCC shatters collegiate participation records ward,ʺ said Pat McDonough, USA Cycling menʹs endurance medal won by the United Director of Athletics. ʺOur plan was to USA Cycling Development Foundation Report—9 States since 1994 when the team pursuit come here with a small but competitive New line of women’s technical clothing available squad won silver. team, and we did just that. We won two National Championship Calendar—9 ʺI canʹt really believe I got third because I medals, were relegated out of one and made had such bad legs all day, but Iʹm excited the keirin finals. Of the small group that USA Cycling Staff Contacts—10 that I was able to get third somehow,ʺ ex‐ was here, we had some extremely competi‐ plained Huff. ʺIt just shows that as much as tive performances. Itʹs only a matter of time you suffer in cycling and you have good until we become a greater threat on a more Have a Story Idea? days and bad days, you just have to get on consistent basis.” your bike and pedal, and even if you get We love to hear from our members! Other American results from the 2007 UCI dropped you can get something out of it.ʺ Track World Championships included USA Cycling News accepts “Letters to the Editor” as The Czech Republicʹs Alois Kankovsky won Jennie Reed (keirin 5th and sprint 15th), well as story ideas, photos, and submissions from the event with 19 points and Walter Fer‐ Sarah Hammer (points race 14th), Brad Huff coaches, officials, and mechanics. If you have some‐ nando Perez of Argentina finished second (scratch race 13th) and Neva Day thing to share, let us know! with 28 points. (individual pursuit 25th). After originally winning the bronze medal in the women’s ʺIn the points race, I would set myself up scratch race, Becky Quinn was relegated for and get in position for the sprints, but then a rules violation. Mike Creed did not qual‐ Iʹd just drift through the pack. When there ify for the finals in the men’s points race. was a sprint or a move that went away, I just didnʹt have that deep sprint or that deep push of power. It was very frustrating to www.usacycling.org April 13, 2007 Page 4 Letter from the CEO Dear Fellow Cyclist, As the first quarter of 2007 comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to once again thank you for your support of USA Cycling and participation in the sport we love. As of today, 36,136 of you have renewed your license, while nearly 10,000 new members have joined the organization! Our 46,000+ members already represent 6% growth compared to this time last year. As you know, USA Cycling licenses are available for purchase at www.usacycling.org. And now, members have more options when it comes to online payment with the addition of PayPal as a secure online purchasing method.