World Cup #3 Cali, Colombia
It has been just over a week since we started racing in Colombia. Time is flying by! We spent around a week Cali to compete in the final World Cup of the season to gain valuable qualification points for future events. It was a great trip, with a mixture of new and old faces. We had a great team which I felt made for a fun and enjoyable experience, especially our support staff who did an excellent job making sure our equipment turned up with us (some Nations didn’t have track bikes till a day before racing!).
I will cut to the chase with the events that occurred. Once we arrived to Cali, we had a few days on the track prior to racing. The track is covered but the sides of the stadium are open, allowing for good wind flow. Although I welcomed this to keep cool, it wasn’t ideal to ride in. Majority of riders from all Nations did not ride a front disc as the weather can be unpredictable. The track is a 250m wooden wonderland with very long straights and sharp corners. There is even a good dip in the middle of one of the bends to contend with. It makes for exciting racing!
We experienced thunder storms one night, which kept me up for most of the night – yes, I am TERRIFIED of thunder – as well as heavy rain which, at the track, was collected in big white tarps to prevent leaks onto the track.
View from hotel dining area
Cali Velodrome
We experienced thunder storms one night, which kept me up for most of the night – yes, I am TERRIFIED of thunder – as well as heavy rain which, at the track, was collected in big white tarps to prevent leakage onto the track.
Massive tarps being put up to stop rain getting on track
Pre-race day hit out with Tarsh
Police on horses looking out for the safety of us riders
Start of race day, crowd filling up fast!
As you may have read, Tarsh and I qualified in the top four to race off for the bronze in the Team Sprint! We were both very happy with this result and the time we posted. I was pleased I was able to do a PB for my first lap, almost coming under 19s. We weren’t able to secure a medal at this World Cup, however having the experience of competing in a final round was new and something I want to experience more!!
World Cup making news in daily paper
The food we get served up. Yum! Best setting being by the pool too
I also competed in the Match Sprint, which fell between the team sprint qualifying (Friday night) and the team sprint finals (Saturday night). I qualified 16th which allowed me to ride in the next round but was knocked out by one of the Chinese sprinters. In the Keirin I didn’t progress far as I would have liked, racing in my first heat, then a repecharge to be knocked out. This was the end of my Cali racing experience.
Sights along the way to the Velodrome
Cali town
It was an early start the next morning (3.30am!) to get to the airport to head home. On our way, we had a stop over in San Fransisco. I was keen to explore the Golden Gate Bridge so grabbed some team mates (Pip and Tarsh) to head to Pier 39, hire a bike, and bike our way there. It was a beautiful crisp day as the fog lifted when we got to the bridge. I fully recommend biking the bridge, the shear scale of it is incredible.
Pip, Tarsh and I about to explore San Fransisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Goodness
Since being home there has been minimal rest as I gear up to compete at the NZ Elite and U19 Track Nationals, which are held in Cambridge 29th Jan – 1st Feb. I will update you on this when I have finished racing.
Thanks again for all the messages of support during and after my time away. I really appreciate it!
Bye for now,
Kt
Thanks again for the read Katie – cycling over the bridge must have been amazing !!!