November 17, 2011 (Carson, CA) – AEG Facilities’ Home Depot Center Velodrome will launch the USA vs. Canada Showdown Series next Tuesday, November 22 at 7 p.m. The series will pit national team riders from the U.S. and Canadian National Teams in both sprint and endurance races in a free-to-the-public evening event.
The U.S. and Canadian National Teams are in training residency at The Home Depot Center Velodrome, and the racing series will provide an opportunity for the teams to augment their training programs in a competitive and spirited environment. The national team race lineup includes men’s team sprint, women’s sprint and men’s keirin. Other races during the evening include an invitational points race, Madison and exhibition kids racing.
“International caliber racing opportunities are hard to come by in North America. As we move into an Olympic year, it’s critical to offer our national team athletes the chance to sharpen their racing skills which will ultimately get them one step closer to qualifying for London,” said Velodrome Manager Adam Duvendeck. “We are pleased to put on a race that proves not only beneficial to the riders, but also to our local community, and we’re looking forward to showcasing USA and Canadian Olympic hopefuls in their own backyard.”
USA national team riders expected to participate include sprint Olympians Giddeon Massie and Michael Blachford and Bakersfield firefighter Jimmy Watkins. Two-time Olympian Jennie Reed and 2011 World Championships silver medalist Dotsie Bausch will compete in the women’s team pursuit. From Canada, Stephane Cossette returns to racing after a major accident last year, and Laura Brown, Jasmin Glaesser and Stephanie Roorda will ride in the women’s pursuit. The trio set a new Pan Am Games record at the recent 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.
The two-hour exhibition is free to the public, and will offer food and beverages for purchase, including burgers, hot dogs, soda and beer. For more information and a complete race schedule, please visit homedepotcenter.com.
The Home Depot Center Velodrome and Event Center is part of the campus’ 125-acre multi-sport facility that is an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site and home to USA Cycling’s National Track Cycling Team. The 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome boasts a 250-meter track and infield that features two indoor basketball courts and five volleyball courts. In addition to track cycling, the center hosts basketball, volleyball and tae kwon do tournaments, youth sports clinics, and was transformed into an indoor skateboard park for the 2006 X Games.