Went to day 4 of a 5 day cycling track event called 'ITS Adelaide' held at
Adelaide's Velodrome. Been to the velodrome before (played volleyball
with South Adelaide there), but never for a track cycling event.
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| The Adelaide "Super-Drome" Velodrome |
The first time that I walked out into the centre, I was
amazed at the steepness of the tracks not only on the corners, but also that on
the straights. How the riders stay on and not continuously slide off is definitely
a skill.
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| The track. Doesn't really show how steep the end banking is though. |
Went on day 4 of 5, where the events of the night were the Women's 500mm
Time Trial, Men & Women's Omnuim - Flying Lap, Keirin (including the
Repechares) & Elimination races.
The power and speed that these athletes show, as well as very skilled bike
handling, just doesn't come across on TV. I stood on the corner, taking
some of the photos, and just after the riders had gone past, the unexpected
breeze that they followed them was quite strong.
It was a very enjoyable night, especially seeing some elite cyclists like
(Oylmpicians, World Champions etc.) Anna Mears of Australia, Wai Lee of Hong Kong and Kenny de Ketele of Belgium & Ethan Mitchell of New Zealand
to name a few compete.
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| 500mm Time Trial, Anna Mears with her "Race Face" |
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| Anna Mears about to set off |
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| New Zealand cyclist for Women's 500m TT |
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| Olympic medalist Wai Lee of Hong Kong getting focused |
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| Wai Lee setting off |
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| Anna Mears reaction of Wai Lee beating her with a 33.888 for the 500m TT |
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| Men's Omnium Keirin race coming around the final corner |
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| Ethan Mitchell of NZ in the Men's Omnium Keirin race |
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| Lining up of for the Women's Omnium Keirin race (Anna Mears second from right) |
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| Anna Mears (left) and Stephanie Morton (right) chasing the derney (motorbike pacer) |
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| Glad the riders don't know that he's asleep! |
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| Riders following the derny |
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| The next heat of the Women's Omnium Keirin waiting for the derney to come around |
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| Off they go |
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| Lining up for the Women's Omnium Points Race |
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| The race is on! |
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| Successful lunge for the line to get max points by Isabella King (Aus) infront of Nielsen (NZ) and Diao (HKG) |
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| King leading the pack, keeping careful watch |
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| Jamie Nielsen (NZ) on her successfull attack in lapping the field |
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| Watching and waiting |
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| Getting ready for the Men's Omnium Points Race |
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| Pushing off |
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| Powering for the line |
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| Kenny de Ketele of Belguim (left) |
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| Kenny de Ketele of Belguim collecting his thoughts |
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| Ready for the Men's Omnium Elimination Race to start |
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| Push off start |
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| Coming to the line, if your last, your eliminated |
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| Coming around the last corner |
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| The field is getting smaller one by one |
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| Still getting smaller till there is only two |
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| Anna Mears getting ready for the Women's Keirin 2nd round |
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| Anna Mears "race face" |
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| Following the Derney into the first corner... |
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| and out |
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| New Zealand cyclists spinning |
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| Getting close and everone is looking over thier shoulder |
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| Powering for the finish line |
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| Catching the derny |
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| Follow the leader |
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| Anna Mears |
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| Goodnight |
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| from Adelaide Velodrome |
