I needed a life vest today

Today is definitely not a memorable day. It started off badly when my chain snapped while riding to the track. So, I had to walk back a couple of kilometers to the hotel. Then when I eventually got to the track, freakin' team USA, who i was sharing space with, totally displaced me by moving the Philippine sign to the Porsche Aussie squad, and they in turn buried it somewhere never to be found. So I had no where to park my gear. It's the first time I felt alone here.

So I eventually just tagged along with Magnus. Then, I found out that I left my assos chamois creme at the hotel. Me and the boys just weren't comfortable from then on. And it gets more comical actually.

I got to the start line, and the chief commisaire said I had the wrong numbers on. They issued new numbers in the morning. He asked me if my team manager had them. Nope. I am the team manager, rider, mechanic, a bad one at that, massuer, and oh yeah, I'm riding too. Anyhow, this is the World Cup, the majors of track cycling, and he wasn't going to just let me in with the wrong numbers. So I ran to get the other set of numbers with my cleats on. The race was delayed 5 minutes, which pissed off the other teams.

I ran back, and 3 teams had to help me unpin, re-pin, and, oh, I needed a holder too since I was in the blue line. Japan stepped in to help me and we we're off for my first world cup race. Definitely, not an ideal start. And it went from bad to worse.

I was just spinning in squares-- must have been from all the walking, running. I don't know why but I just had no leg speed. When the attacking started, it was game over for me. Today, I felt like a Saturn car racing against Formula 1 cars. It was my worst track day ever. But, I finished and I tried with what I had today. I wasn't tired, just couldn't turn the pedals. Tomorrow is a new day and I'll try again in the Scratch and Kilo. But, I'm doing the Keirin. No sense in doing it without any leg speed. It would have been dangerous.



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Points Race Heats

Gotta love my heat, the past 4 world champions are in mine - llaneras, Schep, Rybin, Newton, and toss in Magnus, to the mix for more hurt. Guess there are no easy heats at this level. Wish me luck.
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The Day before race day

...is usually the most anxious & stressful day. And generally, the more I think about the race the worse i do. It's best just to kick it and have a lot of laughs. And that's what i did with my new composite team, Team Planet, of Lone Wolf Riders - Magnus Backstedt, 05 Paris Roubaix winner from Sweden, Kate, Commonwealth medalist from Scotland, and Louis, pro rider from Ireland. Our team manager is Martin Mcrossin, commentator for cycling TV and last yrs. Track worlds. He actually represented all of us at the managers meeting. Picked up our numbers and confirmed our entries. It's really cool to have some camaraderie with great riders I've just met.

Initially, I was worried it was going to feel a bit lonely here on my own, but not at all. It's a great community, and that's what I enjoy most about track. You really get to know many good people, cuz there's a lot of downtime b/w workouts, racing. Anyhow, I'm in a good mood since we spent the later part of dinner just telling some jokes, which I'll keep of the blog and will share in person. But one funny story Magnus said was about the Uruguay Madison team.

He said it's going to be a slaughter house for the madison heats. He couldn't believe it when he witnessed one of the Uruguay riders hanging on for dear life on the top railing between turn 1 and 2 in the steepest portion of the banking 42degrees, steep. The coach had to bail the rider from the top stands. Guess the rider was going too slow and freaked out. Can u just imagine it. I know how it must have felt for the Uruguay rider.

Sometimes I feel like I'm going to slide down the bank and take out everyone below me as though I was the bowling bowl and they were the pins. And it'll be an embarrassing strike and I'll get my butt kicked off the track. Yup, I would grab the rails too rather than slide down. Wish i had a picture of the blooper moment.





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Sydney - Training Session with the Russians and the French

There are over 500 athletes competing at this Sydney World cup. It is the most attended world cup ever. Everyone who rides a track bike really fast is here to qualify for Beijing. Joshiah Ng said that in 2004 it was easier to get UCI points for the Olympics. But now the field is alot bigger & the competition is tougher. That's great news for the sport. Not for me personally, but I get up for competition.

Speaking of competition, I was chillin in the hotel lobby with Magnus Backstedt. He too is riding solo for Sweden. There 6 other solo riders here. Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, China Taipei, and the Philippines, and we all share the same locker. Good to know i'm not the only lone wolf. Nonetheless, I'm proud to represent the Philippines. And a lot of the other federations I've talked too find it pretty cool that I'm here trying. Go Philippines they yell out loud. Guess they never seen a Filipino ride this fast or be as tall =).

I followed Mikel Bourgain on his flying 200. All I can say is that he is soo smooth. He doesn't look like he's trying but he's flyin. Not that big of a guy. Actually, most of the really fast sprinters aren't as big as the video makes them out to be. I have a photo of the Bos and I, and honestly, i looked bigger up top. And yes, my legs r bigger too. But i am waaaay slower. Size doesn't matter.

I almost got killed by the russian sprinter. I was getting started on my flying kilo and he was diving in for his 200 sprint and we barely missed. He said something in russian. And I said probably the same thing in English, fx@#. Then i also dropped in behind Ignatiev during the russian team pursuit, double disc and all. They were flyin, but i went around them on my last lap of my kilo effort. I think i may post a new kilo pr if i'm not too tired after the pts, keirin, scratch, then kilo. My starts are rockin. I did my first lap in 19.3 about 2 secs faster than my LA start at Natz. Hopefully, i'll do a 105+. The speed is coming back, finally, after all the weight session.

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My Olympic Dreams for the Children

As a member of the Philippine National Cycling team, I will be competing around the world in Sydney, Korat, Thailand, Los Angeles, Denmark, and Manchester to qualify for the '08 Beijing Olympics in track cycling. I am dedicating my Olympic pursuit to a charity serving poor children in the Philippines, and I need your help.

I am currently in Sydney, where I am getting ready for the 1st rnd of the World cup. I''ll be on the road, racing and promoting the charity for a month. It's already difficult and lonely being away from my family especially during the Holidays. Before I left home, my son, Payton, reminded me of the true purpose of my trip when he said, "Dad, you're leaving us to help the poor children, right?" I replied, "I hope so."

What I'm trying to achieve is more than just about biking. Hopefully, at the end of it all, whether I make it to the Olympics or not, we will have made a difference in the lives of poor children in the Philippines. Then, all the hard work and sacrifices will truly be meaningful.

Please support me along the way by donating to the charity. To donate and learn more about what I'm doing, simply go to:

www.firstgiving.com/2008olympics

Thank You!

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If I had one day in Sydney...

Where should i go? Well, that was the ? I asked my driver. Figured I might have Sunday to tour after the racing.

She said that I should definitely check out the Opera and alot of places are within walking distance from there. OR "Do u want to see Bush?" Ahhhh, i don't know what u mean. Even in Thailand they aren't that blalant about it. They ask if u want a massage first. So i figured it meant something else. She meant outback. But i told her what i iniatially thought she meant and we started cracking up. She then was nice enough to give me a brief aussie slang crash course.

I've also had a busy day with getting setup with my bikes and the workout for today. The coolest thing is that I worked out with the Dutch and Chinese teams today. And i did a couple of laps behind the Bos. Gotta eat now and catch the team bus back to the hotel and snooze! Long 2 days.
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Sink or Swim

I've always jumped into the deep end with alot of the things I've done in life. This Olympic pursuit is just another challenge I hope to rise up to.

One thing is for sure, i couldn't have done this on my own. There are so many people i'm forever grateful for their suppoprt and generosity. Robbie, Brian, Matias, Bill, Tim, Altamarano have all hooked me up with the equipment I need so i don't look so ghetto against the competition. Then there's Taylor, my chiropractor; Jay, head of IO-USA, altitide simulation, Mark, massage therapist and Vlad, my Olympic gold medalist Belarusan coach, who make sure I'm firing on all cyclinders. They make sure I'm physically in top shape.

There's my national coach, Jomel, who's taken care of my racing logistics and has warmly welcomed me into the National team. Then there's my great business partner, Ray, who's a great moral and financial support to this exciting adventure. As he says "Its just another validation that we have still not seen the best that life can offer." To do this at my not so young age, married, 2 children, a business to run, a mortgage to pay, well, it's all a bonus and proves that life does get better with age.

And most of all, i could not do this without my family's support. My aunts, cousins, my mom, and brothers have all given me so incredible support. I owe so much to them. And most of all, I owe everything to Jenna and the kids. They give me the courage and strenght to pursue this dream.

Sink or swim? Well with all the help i've been fortunate enough to receive, i feel like i'm already floating. Thank you everyone!

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