Home Depot Center News

Blatchford Takes 250-Meter Time Trial Crown

The 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships opened at the ADT Event Center velodrome at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday as three national champions were crowned on the first day of competition.

Following a meteoric rise in the individual pursuit event since last year's championships, 18-year-old Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.) scored an elite title in the men's kilometer time trial. Phinney clocked a winning time of 1 minute, 3.208 seconds to best silver medalist Jimmy Watkins (Bakersfield, Calif./Momentum Cycling) by more than two seconds, while Stephen Hill (Winston, Ga./East Point Track Club) finished third.

In the U23 classification of the kilometer time trial, sixth-place overall finisher David Espinoza (Breiginsville, Pa./Herbalife) was awarded the national title with a mark of 1:07.370. Although only 18, Phinney was ineligible for a U23 championship since he is still considered a Junior.

In the only other title awarded on Wednesday, Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif./Cody Racing) clocked a time of 18.388 seconds to win the standing 250-meter time trial over Lanell Rockmore (Bethlehem, Pa./Gotham Cycling) and Watkins.

2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships
Carson, Calif.
Oct. 1-5:

Men's Kilometer Time Trial
1. Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.) 1:03.208
2. Jimmy Watkins (Bakersfield, Calif.) 1:05.782
3. Stephen Hill (Winston, Ga.) 1:05.799
6. David Espinoza (Breiginsville, Pa.) 1:07.370*

*U23 National Champion

Men's 250-Meter Time Trial
1. Michael Blatchford (Cypress, Calif.) 18.388
2. Lanell Rockmore (Bethlehem, Pa.) 18.723
3. Jimmy Watkins (Bakersfield, Calif.) 18.728

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization and sanctioning body, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ members, including 57,000 competitive cyclists, 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 350 professional cyclists, and 200 certified mechanics. USA Cycling also sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive organized cycling events throughout the United States annually, as well as 1,800 clubs and teams. Associations of USA Cycling include the United States Cycling Federation (road, track & cyclo-cross), the National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), the BMX Association, the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the United States Professional Racing Organization. USA Cycling is also responsible for the identification, development, support and promotion of American cyclists through various athletic initiatives and programs including the USA Cycling National Development Team, the USA Cycling Women's National Team, the USA Cycling Junior Development Team, Talent Identification and Regional Development Camps, domestic and international race calendars, direct athlete funding and support programs, and educational camps and seminars. USA Cycling also fields and supports U.S. National Teams for various international events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, Continental Championship and World Cups across all levels and disciplines of competitive cycling. USA cycling further supports grass roots and locally-based initiatives through its 32 Local Associations and comprehensive network of licensed and certified coaches and officials. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts National Championship events for amateur and professional cyclists, awarding more than 600 national titles annually to men and women in junior, U23, masters, elite, professional and paralympic categories throughout the various disciplines of competitive cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org . For media-related or general inquiries, please contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867 or alee@usacycling.org .

Contact:
Andy Lee
(Tel.) 719.866.4867
(Mobile) 719.231.2041
(E-mail) alee@usacycling.org
(Website) www.usacycling.org