Mandy Marquardt Shines at USA Track Nationals

Race: 2017 USA Cycling Track Nationals

Location: Carson, California

Team Novo Nordisk Elite cyclist, Mandy Marquardt, sprinted to another victory at the USA Cycling Track Nationals in Carson, California (July 31-August 5). Below, the world champ breaks down her experience at the event.

From Mandy Marquardt

“Two weeks before the USA Cycling Junior and Elite Track Nationals at the Velo Sports Center in Carson, California, I headed out with my coach and our Sprinter’s Edge training group to get in some quality training. The Velo Sports Center is a World Class Olympic Standard Indoor 250m Velodrome. My home track in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, is 333m, so it’s important to spend time on a 250m track whenever possible. It was good getting the feel for the 250m again, nailing down gear selection for competition and sharpening up skills and tactics.

Track Nationals were held July 31-August 5. I competed in four sprint events over four days. I won the 500m Time Trial and the Team Sprint with Maddie Godby, and two silver medals in the Sprint and Keirin. My future teammate, McKenna McKee and her family stayed to cheer me on!

On Sunday, August 6, I went to a diabetes meet-up put together by Matt Tarro, and we had ice cream sponsored by Pressed Juicery. Lots of fun! The diabetes community amazes me- they’re all awesome and doing great things in life and for the diabetes community. 

I have been training through all the UCI races in June and Nationals, so I’m looking forward to some more quality training and rest that will bring me to my peak for the Pan American Track Cycling Championships, held at the National Cycling Center in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, on August 30-September 3. I raced there in March of this year, with Team USA, setting the Women’s 200m Track Record and winning the UCI Sprint tournament. 

Trinidad is one my favorite places to compete. I’ve made many friends and love their genuine hospitality and passion for the sport of cycling. The Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation is working hard to make the event possible and I hear all 2000+ seats are close to being sold out, and it’ll be loud! USA Cycling will select and announce the official team for the Pan American Track Cycling Championships at the end of the week, so I’m crossing my fingers!”

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