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Track cycling trip report - Manchester World Cup - some lessons learned...

This weekend just gone Manchester hosted the first round of the track cycling World Cup - a series of meetings around the world that seems to be designed to use velodromes that would otherwise be unloved and one of the key ways for countries to qualify places for the track World Champs next year in Copenhagen.

With a bunch of friends I headed up to enjoy the Saturday and Sunday which sadly meant I missed Friday's action including Geraint Thomas' dominating performance in the men's individual pursuit - if he can stay uninjured next year and show the same class I hope he'll get some results on the road with Sky. But that didn't mean we have a good time. 

Star-divide

In terms of cycling, the Brits were pretty dominant winning 10 of the 17 events though this disguises a few positives and negatives (if like me you're a Brit too - otherwise think of them as the other way round ;-) ). In terms of positives was the strength in depth on the men's side with new talent coming through to replace the established stars like Chris Hoy and Wiggo who will move on eventually (or already have). The women's endurance side was impressive too with Wendy Houvenaghel owning the individual pursuit and the team pursuit with Lizzie Armitstead and Jo Rowsell. Lizzie Armitstead dominated the points race as well - at only 20 she has a great career ahead of her.

On the negative side was the fact that the competition wasn't that strong with some teams choosing to blood young'uns at an international level rather than bring their A game - the Danes in the team pursuit (where there was an Aussie no show), the French sprint team... though the clock doesn't lie and some of the times were blistering fast. The women's sprint team wasn't great either with Victoria Pendleton failing to fire and looking to be the only arrow in the team's quiver for the time being

Anyhow now for some photos - the few of the over a thousand I took that didn't come out blurry

Chris Hoy qualifying for the men's sprint:

4072828897_8f907ef254_medium

via farm4.static.flickr.com

The men's madison:

4072834143_ee75493426_medium

via farm4.static.flickr.com

Women's points race:

4073596512_6553965155_medium

via farm4.static.flickr.com

The New Zealand pair in the madison final:

4072839295_dc860c629f_medium

via farm3.static.flickr.com

The GB men's team pursuit team:

4072842249_3bef4f1872_medium

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Ready for the team sprint start:

4072843881_73ed86fbb8_medium

via farm3.static.flickr.com

The very cool Malaysian kit:

4073604998_0146094f38_medium

via farm3.static.flickr.com

More photos here if you want 'em

0 recs  |  Comment 9 comments

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Cool Stuff

Thanks for the pics. Looks like a fun time.

Tickets are bought, Belgium here I come!

by jsallee00 on Nov 3, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Dude, those

are fucking fantastic shots. Seriously good panning and DOF going on.

by Sui Juris on Nov 4, 2009 12:06 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

thanks

the light was surprisingly low so no option other than to open up the aperture…

by thebongolian on Nov 4, 2009 5:50 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

those first two shots are great.

by Monty. on Nov 4, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Does that belong there?
But that didn’t mean we have a good time.

What do you fear most?
1. coup d’etat
2. putsch

by Frinking on Nov 4, 2009 3:19 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Whoa

That speedblur of Hoy is amazing. Nice shot!

by gavia on Nov 4, 2009 12:19 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Great photos

Thanks for posting

by Jimbo... on Nov 4, 2009 6:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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