All about Endurance races and who to watch....

John Peckham Memorial Points Race
A variation of the Mass Start race, in which points are awarded to the top placing riders in a series of sprints contested at various intervals during the race. The winner of a Points Race is not necessarily the first to cross the finish line, but rather the rider who has accumulated the most points during the race.

The winner gets $1000, making it richest Points Race in the country.

John Peckham was a member of the Webcor/Alto Velo Elite cycling team. More important than his racing, John was a great teammate who had an easy going manner and was enthusiastic about everything he did. John had a strong presence, and a clear confidence despite being very soft spoken. John's incredible talent, infectious smile, easy demeanor, and positive attitude were impossible to miss on or off the bike. Words cannot express the loss we all feel and what John meant to those he came in contact with. John will be missed greatly by family, friends, teammates, and the cycling community.

Miss-and-Out
Another variation of the Mass Start race that''s sometimes called "Devil Take The Hindmost," because the last rider to cross the line after each (or every other) lap is taken out of the race. The field diminishes rapidly, until there are only a few riders left to contest the final sprint.

Scratch Race
Not surprisingly, all the riders in a Mass Start race start at the same time. The riders all cover the same distance, with the winner being the first rider to cross the finish line at the end of that distance. Although speed is important, tactics and teamwork are equally vital. Groups of riders often take an early lead, and then work together to increase it while their teammates try to block and slow down the "field." On a small track, the leaders may gain an entire lap on the other riders and then join in with the main group again.

Who to watch.....

Daniel Holloway - One of the fastest and best juniors ever to come out of Bay Area. Is now affiliated with the powerful Slipstream Team's U-23 team. Routinely attacks the fields whenever he feels like it. Clearly the favorite to win the John Peckham Memorial Points Race.

Ben Jacques-Maynes - Last year's Points Race winner, thought about John Peckham who was a friend of his during the race and ran away from the field. Will return to battle for the $1000 first prize. One of the best Endurance track racers in the country.

Mike Hernandez - Mr. Blogmeister of http://www.norcalcyclingnews.com/. A champion of women's racing. A champion of track racing. A champion of everything in Bay Area. Loves to spin his 53x15 gear with a flower in his helmet just for the fun of it.

Larry "His Holy Thighness" Nolan - Rumor has it when someone asks his kids how many masters championships he's won, they call him first to get the latest count. A huge promoter of juniors and racing program in Bay Area. Is promoting a USAC west coast regional camp in Somona during the week of American Velodrome Challenge, only to make some time for races down in San Jose.

Shaun Wallace - The only rider Nolan fears. A British rider who currently resides in San Diego. Is part of the strong Guiness squad.

Brian Peterson - Kilo Masters State champion and current 35-39 Points Race and Madison champion. Is bringing his big Alto Velo/Webcor Squad for the highly coveted John Peckham Memorial Points Race victory. John Peckham used to be part of the Alto Velo/Webcor squad. You can be sure Brian and those guys show up on the track for this race, there's extra speed in their legs.

Others to watch:

Dirk Copeland - part of the Cal Giant Strawberries Team. Hails from San Luis Obispo. Former National Track Team Olympian.

Mike Garrett - an extremely fast racer from Los Angeles area.

Andrew Kruse - A fast racer from Minnesota who races at the Blaine Velodrome.

Probables:

Kenny Williams, Steve Palaez.

What's next:

Friday - Keirin and who to watch....

Sunday - Women's races and who to watch....

Monday - The madison!! Which teams to watch....