In a thrilling second day of the track world championships in the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark, the undoubted highlights – unless you’re an Aussie – were provided by 19-year-old phenomenon Taylor Phinney and the unstoppable 34-year-old Chris Hoy

Taylor Phinney faced up to his fellow Trek Livestrong rider Jesse Sergent faced in an awesome Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit final. Both had cycled a 1’07″ first kilometre in heats, and Taylor Phinney took an early lead on the 16 laps, with Sergent almost a second and half behind. Sergent dug deep and took a little time, but Phinney looked to have recovered better from the morning’s heat. In a marvellously controlled performance the young American took the gold.

Phinney expressed regret that he wouldn’t be pursuiting in the Olympics, where the event has been dropped in favour of the Omnium: “Pursuiting is where my heart is, it’s what I really love about track racing, but you know, I have to move on and if that’s the Omnium or going straight to the road, I’m not really sure yet,” he told the BBC.

Earlier in the day, Chris Hoy brushed off a nasty scare in the Men’s Keirin heats when the Malaysian rider Josiah Ng Onn Lam knocked him off his bike just after the gun. Thankfully, it was nothing more than an unwelcome echo of his nasty crash at this same track last year and, with the Malaysian disqualified, the heat was restarted. Hoy went on to win his two heats in textbook style and looked relaxed on the bike. After numerous restarts, Hoy was initially caught napping in the final, and fell back to third place. However, his experience shone through and, with two laps to go, he was on the front. He held everyone off, although Malaysia’ Awang threw his bike at the line, and won by half a bike’s length to take his 10th world title and Britain’s first gold of this year’s world champs.

Over in the women’s competition, the Australian ladies are looking phenomenally strong: in the Women’s Team Sprint, Anna Meares and Carly McCulloch set a new world record successfully defending last year’s gold – 32.923, the first time a female pair has done a sub 33″ ride. The pair broke the record twice on their way to gold.

In the Women’s 3000m Team Pursuit, the British ladies – going in to the event undefeated world champions – were determined to add to their accolades. New Zealand, however, set a new world record – 3’21.552 – in their bronze medal ride, lifting the bar for the Brits. And, in the gold medal race, the Aussies gave them a lot to think about. Both teams cycled the first kilo in sub-WR pace, and the Australians were technically flawless, denying the Brits and taking gold in slightly over the new world record time. Now that the team pursuit is a women’s Olympic event, many more nations will be taking it seriously and the bar will no doubt be raised even higher.

Finally, in the Men’s Scratch Race, Alex Rasmussen (DEN), Juan Esteban Arango (COL)  and Kazuhiro Mori (JAP) took an early lap on the field, and, despite a few parries, that was the podium settled with 20 laps to go. Great Britain’s Chris Newton jumped late, but, six laps out, it was too late for him to join them. Rasmussen put the hammer down in the final lap and completely outstripped his rivals to take his second world title at this distance. Arango took silver and Mori bronze.

NAHBS 2010 – Yipsan Bicycles won Peoples’ Choice for their Sunflower mixte commuter bike, and for good cause.  The bright yellow bike had a plethora of trick features all throughout the custom steel frame, but the result is a simple, clean bicycle that deserves its accolade.

Yipsan also had a sparkly 650b mountain bike and a very crafty touring bike with couplers, custom paint where it counted and many folksy touches that really set it apart.

Check them all out right after the break…

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Ventus Ltdâ„¢ and Ventus Teamâ„¢ Bicycle Aerobars

Units: About 325

Designer: 3T Cycling Srl, Italy

Distributors: BikeMine, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Quality Bicycle Parts, of Bloomington, Minn.; Security Bicycle Accessories, of Hempstead, N.Y.; and Bicycle Technologies International, Ltd. (BTI), of Santa Fe, N.M.

Hazard: The two rubber hand grips on the aerobars (handle bars) can loosen or slip off during use, posing a fall or injury hazard to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: Two incidents were reported to 3T involving adults with minor abrasions.

Description: : This recall involves all Ventus Ltd, Ventus Ltd 17, Ventus Ltd Gold, Ventus Ltd Track, Ventus Team and Ventus Team 17 bicycle aerobars. The recalled aerobar models were sold in one size and color for each model; Black with red stripe for the Team and black with silver stripe for the Ltd. The “Ventus” and “3T” logos are on the top side of the bar with the model name.

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Avatar and Terminator: Salvation actor Sam Worthington, 33, says he’s such a bad driver that he decided to start getting around by bike. (Photo and full story from Showbizspy.com)

“My mate bought a bicycle for me because he said it’s easier to get around L.A, especially the way I drive,” Worthington said. “So I ride around like the witch in the Wizard of Oz with a basket on the front. It’s pretty funny.

“I’m not a very good bicycle rider either. I fall off. I don’t recommend everybody does it.”

Check him out next in the upcoming remake of Clash of the Titans….yeah, baby! Trailer shown after the break…

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Have you ever had that feeling when you reach for your puncture repair kit and realize that you used your last patch on the previous ride? Or found that you have run out of glue? Here Jeff Lenosky shows a simple fix that could make the difference between walking home and riding home.

PRESS RELEASE: OHM Cycles recently introduced its 2010 line of electric-assist bicycles, once again improving the performance of the best “pedalectric” bikes on the market. For 2010, OHM Cycles will offer commuters and biking enthusiasts two models: the Urban XU700 (above), and the Sport XS750 (shown after the break). Each model delivers a comprehensive solution to eco-friendly transport, says company president and co-founder Michael DeVisser.

Since their debut in 2007, OHM Cycles electric-assist bikes have helped riders climb hills faster and ride longer – thanks to OHM’s revolutionary Intelligent Drive System that features an LCD command console, rechargeable battery and a rear-wheel motor. The Intelligent Drive System seamlessly combines a rider’s pedal power with that of an electric motor. Through a combination of sensors, rider-supplied power and intelligence, OHM bicycles respond to the way the rider pedals and provides a smooth, seamless sensation of added power.

The OHM Urban XU700 model is ideal for urban commuting and overall cycling fun. The XU700 features an aluminum frame, upright riding position, and front suspension. Power is delivered through a long-range 37V 10Ah Li-Mn Power pack, 350W auto-assist motor, and 27-speed Shimano Deore Drive.

The OHM Sport XS750 model is designed for all-terrain riding. The XS750 features an aluminum frame, dual air front suspension and suspension seat post. The drivetrain utilizes a high-powered 37V 10Ah Li-Mn Power pack, 350W auto-assist hub, and 27-speed Shimano Deore LX Drive

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“velolove” by Brenton Salo. Brenton took all the photographs for the book Rose City Fix. Check out his other pictures on his website.

To see more Pics of the Day, click here, and to submit your own photo to be shown to the world, go here.

The opening night of the Track World Championships in Copenhagen provided plenty of thrills and spills, and gave some tantalising glimpses as to future form at this midway point between the Beijing and London Olympics.

Cameron Meyer (AUS) was imperious in the 160 lap Men’s Points Race, gaining two laps and finishing on a mahoosive 70 points, 37 points ahead of Peter Schep (NED) in second place. This is the second year running he’s been points world champion. Chris Newton of Great Britain worked hard to put himself in contention for the bronze, but was denied on the final lap, sprinting too early and running out of gas before the finish line and being overtaken by Perez of Argentina. Had he taken more than 1pt on the final sprint, he would have leapfrogged Milan Kadlec, who hung on with 27 points for third place.

In the Women’s 500m Time Trial, Anna Meares (AUS) retains her world title, coming in just a shade under the world record, set by Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite who here finished in silver medal position. Meanwhile, in the Women’s 3000m individual pursuit Sarah Hammer of the USA beat Wendy Houvenhagel to gold.

Great Britain and China contested the Men’s Team Sprint bronze medal which, after technical problems, was taken by the British trio of Jason Kenny, Ross Edgar and Chris Hoy. Germany won the gold medal, disappointing France who were hoping to take the top accolade for the eleventh time.

The city of Roswell, GA, has decided to kick it up a notch and add a weekend’s worth of cycling activities to their 9th Annual Criterium with the starting of the First Annual Roswell Cycling Festival.

Starting Saturday, April 24th, with Mountain Bike Day at Big Creek Mountain Bike Trails. There will be a Skills Clinic, Dirt Jump Demos, Hotdogs and Hamburgers cooked on the Grill, and Fun for all ages!

Sunday, April 25th, will have downtown activities starting with the 9th Annual Roswell Criterium – “a Professional & Amateur Bicycle Race in Roswell’s Historic District. Thrills, spills and high speed make these races exciting! Some of the top teams will be competing – don’t miss the fun.” There will also be a Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo and Youth Races, Mayor’s Ride, a Be Bike Friendly 5-K Foot Race, Swap Meet, Art Bicycles, and so much more!

Click here for a pdf of the official brochure, and for additional information regarding the Roswell Cycling Festival or click here for more info about the Roswell Criterium.

Video really gets going about a minute in. Check out the Mongoose Maurice here.

As the track world championships get underway today in Copenhagen, Denmark, Aussie Cam Meyer (Garmin-Transitions) will have a secret weapon up his sleeve, thanks to a little help from component manufacturer 3T.

3T worked with Meyer to develop the Sphinx track bar, an all new design that will allow Meyer to get into the “sphinx” position more easily, where the riders rests their forearms on top of the bars and wrap their wrists and hands around the curve of the drops. The position is popular in points track racing, because it’s a fairly aerodynamic, yet still allows riders to sprint in the drops.

The bars feature a flat top to make the forearms more comfortable while staying aerodynamic, but there is also a flattened section in the curve of the drops, unlike any other bars on the market. The Sphinx also has an upward curve before the drops start, which will allow track riders to mimic their road position with their hands on the brake hoods.

3T says they are sure the bars will be compliant with the UCI’s new 3:1 rule, although it seems that nothing is certain when it comes to the UCIs rules these days. 3T had been working on the new, complaint aerofoil for the tops of the bars last year when Meyer approached them with the idea for the new track-specific design.

The Sphinx will be available to the public later this year with an MSRP around $400. More pictures after the break…

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Defgrip reports that BMX manufacturer We The People is currently testing a few prototype shoes of its own creation, falling under the brand name Almond.

At present, the only other detail to be announced is the brand’s logo, seen after the break. Stay tuned while we seek more details…
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