American Juniors Gain Valuable Experience at the Apeldoorn Velodrome in Holland
By Kit Karzen
On the weekend of May 15, ten American Juniors stepped into the Apeldoorn Velodrome in Holland to compete in the Omnisport Interland Track Event. The Interland Series is a set of races held throughout Europe to host the worlds best when it comes to hard core track racing. This leg of the series saw representation from Great Britain, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, and the United States. Even though most of these countries hold this as just another tab in their normal program towards the development of their junior riders, this is still a fairly new feature for the American Junior scene.
Last year, Danny Heeley, Iggy Silva, USAC Coach Clay Worthington, and I made our way to an Interland series passing through Ghent, Belgium, after we competed in the Hasselt 3 Day earlier that week. We entered the Velodrome wearing mismatched this and that. And to say the least, we were intimidated by the completely matching, track suit wearing, fully staffed, Belgian team. Our fitness was not at the top, and our mindset still adjusting to this new style of racing...we came home empty-handed, no hardware in hand. But, as in any racing scenario, we took the optimistic approach in understanding that we learned heaping amounts of information that would ultimately benefit us in the long run.
With my nine other co-racers and I in tow towards the Apeldoorn Velodrome for the first time, I had a surge of adrenaline. I looked around, seeing everyone fully matching, fit...ready for battle. I, as well as my other experienced teammates, took on leadership to help guide and inform our other teammates on what was ahead. You see, when it comes to track racing, especially junior track racing, the pedaling part is only half of it. There is such a huge mind game of intimidation, professionalism, and dominance, that a race can already be won in the parking lot. We stepped outside of the van, saw the Czech and the Belgians...waiting...looking. Every single USA rider proudly held their own. You must behold a confident, almost cocky, attitude around these racers...they can smell fear from a mile away. And when they do, they'll use it against you in the infield and starting line. Our staff of Missy Thompson and Andrew Hawkes helped us unload our collection of equipment. We strutted our way to the infield...American and proud.
SoCal's Juniors have had great success in their European Campaign with Team USA.
(L-R) Coryn Rivera (Proman), Kendall Ryan (NOW MS Society), Kit Karzen (NOW MS Society),
Danny Heeley (SBW), and Ian Moir (Rock Racing).
After taking the Friday open session to do some openers, standing starts, and team pursuit work, Team USA headed to the Velodrome’s cafe' for some dinner. We were overwhelmed with hospitality, as well as an enthusiastic character, Peter, the velodrome manager. He was one of your higher energy personnel, with a loud voice, and jolly belly to back it up. He got a huge kick out of us, and even played "Born in USA" as we inhaled our calories to carry over the next day. I thought he was going to start dancing on the bar, instead he started to wear Coryn Rivera's neon yellow glasses, pranced around, and told jokes. Funny guy.
The next two days of track racing were reminiscent of a World Cup schedule. Nine hours straight of being in the track, a schedule of events absolutely packed to the rim, and more bikes and wheels than you could ever imagine. Every event, for everyone, was a learning experience. When to make the move, how to time your sprint, whether or not to use an aero helmet. Simple questions like these, often over looked, really helped in forming Team USA's results and repetitive top finishes. Coryn used her typical, yet amazing, power and endurance to propel her to win the Women's Derny Race. Danny Heeley and I won the Madison on the second day. In fact, we became the first ever full American Junior Team to ever win a European Madison. Looking at a year ago, when Danny and I were being completely thrashed by the dominant European teams like rag dolls, to being consistently top 5 and even winning! I see progress. The rest of the team including: Ian Moir, Benny Sweedberg, Katie Antonneau, Jacob Rathe, Anna Young, Juan Carmona, and Kendall Ryan proved a true force to be reckoned with, with multiple top fives.
The weekend was without a doubt a success. Whether you want to analyze the results or the different teachings bestowed upon us, everyone took away something special...hands down. A great thank you to Andrew Hawkes and Missy Thomspson for their selfless work effort, as well as USA Cycling for creating this wonderful opportunity to race our bikes.
It is a truly big world out there. For years now, I have been racking up the miles traveling abroad, taking in as much as I can. Take note though, this process does take time. Rome wasn't built overnight, remember! It took many, many trips to make the things I now know really stick, and I can't stress enough how imperative it is for juniors to take to it and throw themselves into the scene of international racing. Whether you want to race with your National Team, Trade Team, or even alone...just do it. If its one thing I have learned, it's that if you want to be a great American racer, race in America. If you want to be a great bike racer, race in Europe.
