Sarah takes centre stage with Velodrome ride

Move over everybody - this week is all about Sarah Franzoni and her appearance at the Manchester Velodrome. Sarah was invited to take part in the Revolution series of races - an invitation only get-together, just one rung below the world championships.It was a huge step up for her with several international class cyclists, including members of the ultra-successful British Olympic team, competing.Sarah sent me some notes about the event, but before I get to them, I ought to say that I think everyone at the club should take great pride in the fact that one of our own was asked to participate at such an exalted gathering and managed to acquit herself so well.Sarah, who is as unassumingly modest as she is talented, took up cycling less than five years ago and, unlike most of the elite members of the British cycling scene, has not been coached to any meaningful degree. On the bike, she looks lean almost to the point of frailty, but don"t let the appearance fool you - she has a genuine competitive streak and if she were to gain access to proper facilities and coaching, there is no limit to what she could achieve. At the moment, she and husband Steve have to travel regularly to Wales to make use of the Newport Velodrome - a sad reflection on the lack of cycling facilities available to talented riders in Ireland.Here are Sarah"s notes on the event (Revolution 23).'On January 4, hubby Steven and I set out for Newport velodrome to get some much needed track time ready for racing the revolution 23. When I first went on the track in October I decided that a goal for my track riding would be to try and get to the revolution at some point in "09, I had no idea I would be asked in January "09 so I was very very nervous!'I spent the week working closely with Courtney, an exceptionally good coach from the UK, who I have been really lucky to have had helping me (maybe he thought I was a little mad!). Steven and I both raced in the B league on the Tuesday and having beaten Steven, I really was on a high and felt confident about the Revolution - sorry Steven - it"s the first time this has happened! After Tuesday I just looked after myself with a couple of short rides on the rollers practising for the Revolution, I didn"t want to fall off warming up in front of 4000 people!'We got to Manchester on the Friday and basically sat around waiting for Saturday night and signed on at 6pm, ready for a 7pm start. It was such an awesome feeling walking out to the track centre in the company of such talented athletes and it took me about 10 minutes before I could look around at the crowd! I went into the changing rooms really nervous but when I saw Sarah Storey in her world champ stripes, I was, however, a little more nervous on the start line next to her.'Courtney thankfully was there keeping me calm and making sure I did everything at the right time, drinking, warming up etc. My first race was the 5km points race, a sprint after every 5 laps, followed by a 5km scratch (behind the motorbike) and then a 2km dash. The races were, as expected, fast from the word go and we found ourselves doing over 30 miles an hour behind the motor bike. I can, however, say I raced better than I could have imagined and was able to compete as an equal to the other girls. My best race was by far the 2km dash, which I was expecting to be the worst. It was only six laps long and with two to go I tried to break on the outside. I actually felt strong enough to have won the race but my inexperience and nerves got the better of me as two girls came very close each side of me and I eased off, terrified, as they brushed past each shoulder! It was a good sign though as nearly all of the girls (except the 3 of us from Ireland) regularly practice the techniques of riding close and barging through in a sprint and are on the track every week.'All in all a fantastic experience and I can"t wait to get back on the track again!'Well done, Sarah, from everyone at the club.Tackling La MarmotteI got a phone call from The Wheelsucker - the man responsible for putting the idea of attempting La Marmotte on the club notice board. You might find it hard to believe, but at the time of going to press, 17 Wheelers had put their names forward to give it a bash. I suppose I might have sounded a little dismissive last week about the idea of climbing 5,000 metres in a single day over a backside numbing 174Km, and then tackling Alpe d"Huez the following morning for good measure, but I promise you, I will be lost in admiration for anyone who completes the course.I checked out Alpe d"Huez on that interweb thingy and it"s a 14Km climb with a 9% average gradient (in plain English it"s long, and bloody steep, too).The record ascent was completed by the late Marco Pantani. There are 22 numbered hairpins - (roughly the same number as worn by Amy Winehouse at any given moment) and the summit stands at 1,860 metres (6,102 Ft.) above sea level. Modesty prevented me from pointing out to The Wheelsucker that I still hold the Wheelers" record for cycling at altitude - a bracing 4,731 metre (15,521 Ft) climb completed in 2007.ReviewNow, I got an email from Wheeler Paul Crowley pointing out that my so-called review of the year last week made no mention whatsoever of the summer league or indeed the Mullingar GP. I said that I hadn"t taken part in the league in 2008 and so it had more or less passed me by, as indeed it would have even if I had taken part!The summer league and the GP were only two of several omissions. The league was a huge success for the club, expertly put together by Mark Horohoe and Steve Franzoni, with the overall prize going to the popular Wendy Bates. The GP was another outstanding day, with the club receiving extremely favourable feedback from Cycling Ireland and indeed, all of the participants. And surely Robbie Kenny deserved a mention for his great work as youth development officer, which included a wonderful series of junior races held at Ladestown over the summer. No mention of the Tour of the Lakes either - numbers slightly down from last year"s peak but still brilliant. On top of all that, I completely neglected to include Katherine Kenny"s huge contribution to the organisation and running of the fund raising trip to Sligo in aid of the North Westmeath Hospice and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.Care to join us?Would you like to join us for a cycle? Cyclists of all standards are welcome to come along. We usually meet at the Mullingar Dog Track at 9.00 on Sunday mornings. Up to four groups now leave from the dog track, including one especially for beginners, or those who may have some cycling experience and would like to see if cycling with a group is for them. Just turn up on any given Sunday, call me on 087 1216 345 or visit our website at lakesidewheelers.ie for information and advice on how to get going. Please remember to check the club message board at http://lakesidewheelers.proboards51.com/index.cgi for details of any last minute changes before setting off.