November 20/09 13:52 pm - Track World Cup #2 Day 2 - Melbourne, Australia

Posted by Editor on 11/20/09
 

Both Jacob Schwingboth and Travis Smith were in action today, with Travis first up to contest the Keirin. Travis drew a tough heat with stiff competition, including Shane Perkins (winner of the majority of sprint events at the Perth GP a week earlier where Travis finished sixth) and British rider Matthew Crampton. Travis was pressing very hard but could only manage a fourth best in the opening round heat, with the top two going through to the next round. However, Travis was up for a second chance to get in on the action in the repechage.

Travis geared down for the repechage with only three riders in the rep and one going through. Sam Webster from New Zealand and Barry Forde of Barbados were the other combatants. Smith drew number three and tried to take the number one spot behind the pace bike, but ended up in third to start the ride. With Forde laying off ever so slightly and weaving back and forth Travis seized the opportunity to dive under Forde as pace bike was now off the track. Forde then came down forcing Travis to back off. It was now down to two laps to go and Travis tried to go high and wide, with Forde going high to protect but Travis got the jump and got onto Webster's wheel. Fortunately, he ran out of gas on the second run to try to go around the Kiwi rider. This ended Travis's day, leaving him to prepare for the Sprints which begin tomorrow morning.

Jacob Schwingboth was up in the second heat for the men's Scratch race and the last event of the morning session. Jake was patient throughout the race and did not panic when six riders gained a lap on the field from three different breakaways. It was now down to the top four riders out of the remaining seven left to go through to the finals with a kilometer remaining in the race. Jake pounced on the opportunity and attacked from up high with a lap and half to go and strung the field out. Jake was just pipped at the line by three other riders, but it was enough for him to go through to the finals in the evening session.

This was Jacob’s first World Cup final, and he lined up against the likes of Chris Newton of Great Britain to contest the 15 kilometre Scratch race. The race averaged over 50 kph and was won by New Zealand rider Tim Sculley. In the end 11 riders gained a lap on the field and Jacob finished 13th but was very active in the race.

Within the first 10 laps of the race an Italian rider lapped the field solo after four laps of riding at 58 kph. Then a series of bursts from the group separated the men from the boys, and three more riders got away to lap the field. Race favourite Newton was still on equal laps but launched a massive attack. At this point that Jacob was already up the road a bit chasing another small group when Newton stormed by with four others in tow. The speed was too much for Jacob to match and he went back to the main group.

By now, six riders had lapped the main peloton, but the Newton-led five-some was losing steam as the end of the race closed in. Newton then attacked his group and gained his lap solo with eight laps remaining in the race. The four riders with Newton just made the connection the field with two laps remaining. Jacob then got on Newton's wheel, but the British rider's acceleration had been dulled by earlier efforts and Newton stalled as he moved up in the sprint.

Jacob managed about sixth or seventh in the bunch sprint for 13th overall, a fine effort for his first World Cup final. Some mistakes were made but there was some excellent riding as well, with lots to build on for future World Cups. Tomorrow is the final day of competition and Travis Smith will be lining up for the match Sprints.

Report courtesy CCA