LOTS of Good things are happening...

You can spend your time, waste your time, or invest your time. It's your choice.
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Beijing Olympic Update ~ This weekend, the UCI announced the final tally of Olympic Track Slots ~ The National Olympic Committees of each country were informed of how many places they've each earned and for which events. In total, 188 places for 153 men and 35 women were awarded to 34 different countries. The Olympic track cycling events will take place from August 15-19.
The complete story can be found at CyclingNews.com.

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Masters National Track Championships ~ USCF rule # 6G10c states that the Points Race “Shall be conducted in five-year age groups over the specified distance. (10k for all women) Only riders in categories 1-3 may enter for categories younger than age 54. Any age group with less than 10 riders may be combined with a lower age group. In such a case the awards for the older group will be determined by their relative results within the event.”

According to this rule, in order to participate in the Points Race at Masters Natz, men AND women riders under the age of 55 must be Cat 1-3. The limitation for the women's points races has not always been strictly enforced in previous years, but you can expect it will be enforced now that the Masters Women’s track racing field sizes have grown. All of this growth is definitely a good thing!

According to the “Voice of Encino” aka Mr. Al Nash, the Encino Velodrome’s typical Omnium event line up includes Women, Masters 40+, 50+ *and* 60+ fields on the first Saturday night of the month, every month, from April through July. Women are welcome to come visit and earn your upgrade points!

Which brings us to yet another USFC rule ~ Rule # 1H2. Women may enter any race for which they are eligible by age, category, and any performance requirements and may enter categorized races for men that are up to one category lower than their women's category, or in the case of category 1 women, up to two categories lower. In addition, category 4 and 3 women who are 35 or older may compete in Masters races for all riders up to 20 years greater than their racing age, subject to other eligibility requirements.

Tying all of this together, means that Cat 4 women have additional race options for upgrading to Cat 3 well before National Championship Events.

According to Velodrome Director, Al Nash, Encino offers a Masters 40+ race category that runs in the first half of their monthly Onmium program along with the Women's omnium races and a Masters 50+/60+ that runs in the second half of their program. This is a great opportunity for women 35+ who want additional opportunities to race and earn their category upgrade. Al indicated that at least one woman raced the Masters 50+/60+ race at the Mechanized Mayhem Omnium in April. She enjoyed the additional race experience and both she and the guys had a lot of fun.

For more information on Encino’s 2008 Monthly race series, please see the event flyer.

The next Monthly race will be held on Saturday May 3rd. See the event flyer for more info.
Discounted on line pre-registration is available.
Have Fun!!

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Saturday April 26th ~ The LAVRA will be hosting the So Cal Track Cup Event #1 Endurance Omnium. Registration opens at 1:30PM. The track opens for warm up at 2:00PM. Racing begins at 3:00PM. The WCat 1-3 So Cal Track Cup events will include a 45 lap Scratch Race and a 60 lap Points Race. Non-So Cal Track Cup events for the WCat 4’s will include a 15 lap Scratch Race, a 10 lap Tempo Race and a 30 lap Points Race. Please reference the event flyer for Complete event information.

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And on the Road this weekend: On Saturday April 26 ~ The Devils Punchbowl Road Race in Pearblossom and on Sunday April 27th is the Chuck Pontius Memorial Criterium in Valencia.

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Attn Ladies: The next Ladies Only Track Sessions will be Saturday May 10th from 12:00-2:00pm. We expect to have a great time with plenty of room and time for everyone to ride till you can’t turn the pedals one more time! Please be early so you will have time to sign in and get ready. The session begins at 12noon, sign-in begins at 11:30.


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Attn Ladies: The Ladies Only Track Sessions are going on a road trip!! We will be packing up and heading to the Encino Velodrome this Summer for the July 12th & Aug 9th LOTS sessions. Stay tuned for more info later in the Spring.

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Saturday May 10th ~ The Encino Velodrome presents Part 3 of the monthly “Low Key Time Trials”; a USAC Non-Competitive Event Series. March 22 (done), April 19 (done), May 10, June 14 & July 19 2008. The TRACK & REGISTRATION Opens at 8:15am & Closes at 9:15 am. RACING starts at 9:30am. Entry $10, One entry free gets you into as many events as you like. No Pre-Reg; Race day entries only.
All athletes must provide a signed 2008 USAC Athlete Release form (see below). RULES: Must have track experience. All 2008 USCF rules apply. Helmets must be worn at all times while on the bike.

Individual Events Include ~ 500m, 1k, 2k, 3k, & 4k
Team Events Include ~ 3k & 4k, Teams must provide your own holders!
Team Sprints (2 women) & Olympic Sprints (3 men) included.

Please note: Rental bikes ARE available for all races at Encino.

For additional Race information, please email: Trattenero@hotmail.com
LOCATION: Encino Velodrome17301 Oxnard St, .Encino, CA. 91416

Please visit the Encino Velodrome’s website.
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Friday Nights at ADT ~ Attn Ladies the TT’s at ADT and at Encino are fantastic opportunities for beginners to race your first track race and for more experienced Ladies to fine tune their IP and put together a Sprint or Pursuit Team or two for State & National Championships! If you are interested in training for these races and more, please plan to join me at ADT each Friday evening for open (ie co-ed) training from 6-9PM.

Please note: I will plan to be at ADT this Friday Night, April 25th.

Please send me an RSVP email so I know who to expect this week. Normal track fees apply.

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For Sale ~ This is your Last Chance ~ A Small Ladies/Juniors road bike is for sale. It has 700c wheels and is set up with Junior gears (which can be easily changed). It is a Schwinn Fastback, XS, tiagra components. It has been signed by Tony Cruz from Discovery. It has everything except pedals. The seller is asking $350.

If you are interested, please RSVP to me and I will put you in contact with the seller.

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Have you seen USA Cycling's Web article featuring the LOTS program? If you, your employer or anyone you know, is interested in sponsoring the LOTS program, please contact me. The LOTS program is dedicated to introducing women to the exciting sport of track cycling and we intend to grow this program as far into the future as we can see!

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The 2008 USAC Athlete Waiver is available on-line.

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The 2008 SCNCA Racing Calendar is available on line.

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The 2008 USAC Rule book is available on-line.

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Have a super week Ladies!!