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Cyclling/Triathlon

Pinellas Park cyclist nets titles, record

By JESSICA MUNDIE
Published August 16, 2006

Pinellas Park cyclist Earl Henry capped off his bicycle racing season by winning two USA Cycling national championship titles at last week's USA Cycling Master Track National Championship at the 7-Eleven Velodrome in Colorado Springs.

The five-day event concluded Sunday with 66 national titles awarded to USA Cycling members, age 30 and up.

Henry (Best Of The Bay Cyclists Team) began the program Aug. 9, winning the men's 65-plus competition in the sprint event.

"I knew I was going to win at least one race, and the sprints are fun because of the tactics," said Henry, a 65-year-old electrical engineer from Trinidad. "These guys are all good, and just like at Worlds, it is just a matter of who is going well on that day. This race gave me a good warmup."

The pressure may have been off Henry after that first gold medal ceremony, where he got a sleek national championship track jersey. In his specialty event, the 500 meters, Henry finished in 37.242 seconds, good enough to set an official USA Cycling national masters record and a world record.

"My new carbon bike is working well," Henry said. "I have been practicing with some lighter equipment, and it pays off. Next, I'll race in Argentina at the Pan Am Games. I will be ready for Worlds in England."

Henry practiced the important starting techniques and the acceleration phases, which launched him into the 500-meter lead. Henry drove to the Brian Piccolo Velodrome in Cooper City each weekend for practice. Henry's efforts paid off with his championship performance last week.

"The start is most important, and I practiced that a lot this year," Henry said. "I really wanted to set a world record, and I knew that the altitude makes for fast conditions on this track. I'm happy now."

13 HOURS OF SANTOS: Area mountain bikers say they are looking forward to the fall season. They are already practicing with their latest off-road equipment in hopes of being ready for the season's first big endurance event at Santos Trails in Belleview over Labor Day weekend.

The 13 Hours of Santos is one of the most popular endurance events in the Southeast, and the race takes place Sept. 3.

Practice riding begins at 7 a.m. on race day, and many riders and their families set up tents in the pit areas for rider support and watching. Racing begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m.

There are different categories for prizes: solo, teams and kids. Some riders opt for the half distance, which is a separate six-hour category. Spectators should bring a change of clothes, cameras with working flash, food and water. All ages are welcome to participate, and camping is available.

For further information on 13 Hours of Santos, visit www.goneriding.com or call Terry and Dave Berger at (352) 873-9279.

GEVING WINS BMX WORLDS: Amanda Geving of Largo won a gold medal in the Junior Women's Cruiser Class at the 2006 UCI BMX World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 29.

Geving won the coveted rainbow jersey by beating a field that included New Zealand's Sara Walker and France's Magalie Pottier.

"Amanda is the best up-and-coming junior rider in the U.S.," said John Sinibaldi Jr., who is a training partner and a family friend of the Gevings. "The coaches are saying that Amanda has the potential for an Olympic team spot for the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejing, China. Just watch and see how popular BMX will be here in the U.S. The sport of BMX riding will now be an Olympic cycling event. Kids riding BMX all over are so stoked."

USAT JUNIORS RACING: The next stop on the 20th anniversary Publix/Coca Cola Family Fitness Weekend triathlon (swim, bike, run) and duathlon (run, bike, run) events will take place Saturday at 7 a.m. at Fort DeSoto Park.

Exclusive Sports Marketing president Steve Tebon of Boca Raton has announced that there will also be under-23 and junior racing in special national points events. There will be a shorter kids duathlon at 9 a.m., and first-timers who are 13 and under are welcome to participate.

Packet pickup and registration will be available at the Fort DeSoto Park race expo Friday from 5-8 p.m. There is no race-day registration, but packet pickup will be allowed from 5:30-7 a.m. on Saturday.

Clydesdale division triathlete Richard Gonzmart will host the awards party, which will be held on the St. Petersburg Pier rooftop at the Columbia Restaurant on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Call the race hotline for details at (561) 241-3801.

[Last modified August 15, 2006, 10:06:56]