April 22, 2014 (London, ON) – Saturday night the FCV was filled with anticipation as the 5th annual Mary Kelly 100 was the featured race on a very full program. Many of the racers started to arrive early to get ready for a tough evening of exciting track racing. During the warm up, everyone seemed to be on edge, the track seemed fast, yet the Juniors couldn’t get their legs going (must have been a grueling Good Friday RR still in their thighs).  As the building warmed to a scorching 18 degrees, so did everyone’s legs. The lap times continued to drop and the at the end of the warm up period, most racers were amped up and ready for racing.

As the preliminary races were winding down, it became apparent that a little etiquette was lacking. Just as I was thinking, ‘maybe I should have a chat with the racers,’ a couple of FCV regulars touched wheels and were sliding onto the infield. Luckily, everyone walked away.  With the Mary Kelly race next on the agenda, the women were a little tentative heading to the rail for Rider Introductions.

The riders rolled off the rail for 100 laps of pain.  The attacks started early in the event. The duo from Real Deal Racing (Sara Rasmussen & Jamie Gilgen) set the tone for the first 50 laps. One rider would jump off the front, gain 25 – 30m and the field would reel them back.  There was $100 prime for lapping the field and the women tried, however, every attack was brought back with some tough racing.

The group stayed together until 20 to go, when Gilgen attacked and was able to put pressure on the remaining riders in the peloton. Three laps later, it was Groupo Compacto and the race stettled in for the final sprint.

With 10 laps to go, all the riders more than two laps down were pulled from the race, leaving the four riders on the lead lap, and Candice Vermuelen (Kallisto-FCV) to finish off the race.

The riders remaining on the lead lap were the two Real Deal Racing riders, Rasmussen, and Gilgen, plus Cadet Naomi DeSousa (NCCH) Sarah Mason (Kallisto-FCV). The pace of the last few laps kept everyone together.  As the laps wound down, the women started to get antsy…. even with two to go, no one wanted to be the first to attack and hold it to the finish.  At 1 1/2 laps to go, Mason made a move over the top to take position on Rasmussen.  Mason gained 1/2 a bike length and held the advantage to the end, DeSousa tried to get over Rasmussen in the final turn, however, the very talented Cadet had to settle for 3rd behind Mason and Rasmussen.

Official top 5:
1. Sarah Mason – London (Kaillisto-FCV)
2. Sara Rasmussen – Dundas (Real Deal Racing)
3. Naomi DeSousa – Ancaster (NCCH)
4. Jamie Gilgen – Toronto (Real Deal Racing)
5. Candice Vermuelen – St Catherines (Kallisto-FCV)

Here is the video of the last seven laps… enjoy!