Teter/Delts Win Team Pursuit

Well, the results are in and Teter once again won Team Pursuit and clinched the white jersey by a comfortable margin. After a dominating prelim performance, they encountered a gritty challenge from Theta in the finals, but pulled away in the latter part of the race. Once again, they go into the race as heavy favorites, but today also proved that they'll have to be wary of Kathleen Chelminiak's speed. On the Men's side, Phi Delts had a strong preliminary run to cruise into the finals, but in the end it was Delts who walked away with the Team Pursuit victory. Phi Delts' performance however, earned them the white jersey.

IDS story here: http://idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=86776

Interesting to note that both Teter and Theta looked strong and smooth in the finals, albeit with slower times than their prelims. On the Men's side the times got faster in the finals (Delts turned in a blistering 9:11 for the victory!) Also, it looked like RJ Stuart was doing the majority of the work for Delts, taking multiple lap pulls throughout the event. I'm sure Courtney Bishop and Ken Nowakowski have exact counts, but RJ probably did 2/3 of the pulling throughout the finals. Regardless, it was an impressive performance by the Delts (minus one of their riders rubbing wheels and almost crashing) and this surely adds fuel to the fire for race day. I can't wait to see the show-down!

Full Women's Results: http://iusf.indiana.edu/little500/TPResultsW.pdf
Full Men's Results: http://iusf.indiana.edu/little500/MTPResults.pdf
Final Spring Series Results: http://iusf.indiana.edu/little500/Spring%20Series%20Points.pdf

Crossover

This story from the IDS makes for an interesting debate about the ability of other athletes to adapt to cycling, and specifically Little 500. Brittany is clearly a very strong swimmer but is somewhat mid-pack in the L5. One reason for this is that she is trying to do both sports (until March 17th at least) but may also speak to the ability of good athletes in other sports to just pick up a bike and be good. Little 500 is filled with ex-high school runners and swimmers who needed another outlet. Is there an easy crossover between these (or any other) sports or if you dedicate yourself to riding is it independent of ability in other sports? Examples from the Cutters in recent times show Sam Gasowski/ Paul Sigfusson as excellent swimmers who took up cycling but then Eric Young wasn't a great runner in high school who did pretty well in Little 500. Of course Eric may have been more dedicated to cycling than running so it's difficult to know exactly, whereas varsity swimmers know how to train and probably gave it their all for the bike team as well. Thoughts (and please be nice).

I do think Brittany could put her saddle up a little...

TP

TP pairing are out and the anticipated matchup is ONNNN! PDT vs DTD, for the West-bowl! Cutters-BKB and Beta-Sig CHi are others of interest. Theta vs DG looks to be the big clash on the Womens side. The trend for giving 2nd teams a run-out continues with the welcome return of LiSiHi and the PDT 3rd squad! DG and Wing-it B teams share the track...could this be a prelude to an anti-Teter pact on race-day?

Teter have the White jersey all sewn up to go with their Green and Yellow. All to play for on the Mens side with PDT in the top position.

The 'official' West post..

Well as official as IDS gets...
Fifth Year Senior deemed too fast for race he loves!

My favourite line '“I know Mr. West is upset...' Ha 'Mr West', sounds like a courtroom drama!

MnO final

Nice ride by Steve Sharp who impressed by taking the front for the dangerous elimination rounds and then had an impressive turn of speed out of turn 2. PDT have been the most aggressive team in the last 2 years but now have licence to sit in and wait for the sprint. Can DTDs, Beta or Cutters be aggressive instead?

And Sven did get screwed in that first elimination after riding a perfect tactical lap, latching onto Steve's wheel. When will the MnO organisers learn that the BEST way to judge is from the press box (or the bleachers) and not from on the track. The action is way too close to the judge and riders close to the inside of the track always get the shaft. However this change will require better (and larger) numbers placement so that they can be seen from further away.

ITT analysis

In a change of form (from the usual Cutters love-in), this blog is becoming a vehicle for the Beta Boffins!
An analysis of ITT +/- when compared to Quals!

ITTs

The final act in the L5 career of Chris West.

The ITT men to beat

Prepared by the boffins within the Beta machine (Eric Anderson). Interesting reading, 8.55 is the time to be at the track today. Don't forget Chris West, broken wrist last year prevented an ITT ride but this year back and presumably eligible to contribute toward the White jersey?

For my $$ it's between Sharp and Stuart, with the DTD man having the slight edge.

Quals

Seemed like a beautiful day for Quals and the media-styled favorites Beta delivered in fine style. Full results are here. Not a hugely surprising day, just highlighting that the same teams are always there or there-about and other teams just don't train enough. Obviously CSF are the big shocker in 2nd place! Are they for real or the SNU of 2012? Phi Psi in 33rd, surely not what they were hoping for as they keep the streak of always qualifying alive...just! Tester put the expected marker down, great ride by Army and ChiO but Wing-it must surely be disappointed given the depth of their program?
Betacycling YouTube have some quals vids for your perusal..

I see Chris West didn't ride, not much chat about that on BVN but seems a little disappointing that he can't ride especially given last years eligibility issues!

It's time for Little 5!