5-14-09

The Florida Masters State Championships scheduled for this weekend has been
postponed till October due to permit issues and scheduling conflict.  Apologies to the
people who have been training hard for this event, or have made special
arrangements to be down here.  While we're working on it, the track is definitely not
the top priority for a lot of people.

Last Saturday kicked off the 2009 State Championship series.  Once again Team
Cocos Stepped up to the plate putting $1000 on the line for the top 4 places, and
field
ed a team that would surely take a good share of the money.    

I must say this was the tightest and best night of match sprints I've seen at our track
in years.  The top 12 200m times moved on to the sprint rounds.  The slowest
qualifying time was 12.4, and the fastest was 17 year old Jay Phillip, fresh off some
solid international racing with an 11.3.
 The top 12 riders were within 1 second!!

The sprints went on through the evening with multiple photo finishes that left the
crowded spectator section on the edge of their seats to see who won.  

In the best of three final, Jay Phillip
of the Trinidad National Team beat Roger
"Spiderman" Hernandez of NitroShot/ Get Rid of My Bike for the Gold medal

In the sudden death final for Bronze, Mike Lifshotz of NitroShot/ Get Rid of My Bike

and Cliffton Cargill Team Cocos battled it out.  A
fter much studying of the film and
photo finish, the race was deemed a tie!  Talk about a close race!!  There will be a
best two of three re-ride held in June.  I'll post the date when I know it.

Humberto Pages of Team Cocos, beat Mike Felling from NitroShot/ Get Rid of My Bike
for fifth place.

There was a 10 lap scratch race held for the people who either didn't qualify for the
sprints, or were eliminated from the tournament.  The race was dominated by Team
Cocos with Ortelio Marin, Gustavo Rullo, and Mike Pouldon taking the top three!

Big thanks to Carlos, Brent and Ellie for the officiating.  Thank you Paul and Eddie for
supplying the photos for the photo finishes.

Photos of the event will be posted soon.


4-23-09  This is a big update, so sit down to read it.

Track Racing is currently going through a resurgence in South Florida.  I attribute it to
two big reasons.  
1.  The Guys From Team Cocos.  They have been donating prize money to the
Saturday night races and coming out to race and support.  This has helped to bring
out more strong riders, increasing the level of competition for the riders and
excitement for the spectators.   In addition to the money, Cocos has one of the
strongest race teams in the state, and they come out for their share of the money
every time.
2.  Brent Lucas - Brent goes out of his way every chance he gets to spread the word
of any track event from the State Championships to big training sessions.  I hear him
announcing it at all the Crits as well as on group rides.  Brent is extremely
enthusiastic about the track, and when he mentions it people can't help but get
excited.  While Brent is an accomplished track rider himself, he chooses to step
aside and officiate the races rather than race them himself.

Take a minute next time you see Cube, Keith or Brent, and thank them for the support
they give to not only track, but racing in Florida.

The State Championships are coming up on us fast.  The first State Championship
event will be the Match Sprints. Held on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30pm.
It will be raced tournament style with seeding decided by a 200 meter time trial.  If
you think you can sprint, come on out.  Confirmed for the event are last years
champion and runner up Mike Lifshotz and Roger Hernandez of the NitroShot/ Get Rid
of My Bike Race Team.

For the complete list of state championship events, please click this link or go to our
calendar page.

Last Saturday night was a hot night of competition with $700 on the line for 3 races.  
The competition was fierce, and everyone raced like they really needed the money!!

The Keirin was won by Junior Sensation Kevin McGuire in a great sprint beating
former Masters World Champ Will Zeagers at the line.

The 6 lap scratch race, was fast from the start and stayed fast thanks to Mike Mouly,
of NitroShot/ Get Rid of My BIke.  The NitroShot must've been working.  The race was
won by Mike Lifshotz of NitroShot/ Get Rid of My Bike with an attack from 1 1/2 laps
out.

The unknown distance was very exciting as usual.  There was constant attacking
with everyone wanting to see if they could be off the front when the elusive bell rang
indicating 1 lap to go.  That happened about 10 laps in with Mike Pouldon of team
Cocos taking a decisive victory.

In the 30 lap scratch race, Team Cocos maintained control the entire race, and
closed down every breakaway attempt.  The race was pretty steady until Mike Felling
of attacks with about 8 laps to go.  That sent the pace to an uproar.  Mike held the
field off for about 2 laps and was caught by Team Cocos.  The counter attack was
launched by Mike Lifshotz with 6 to go.  He was caught with 1 1/2 to go.  Todd
Hancock of Team Bike America, who had been extremely agressive all night
countered the move and opened a big gap.  Horace "Junior" McFarlane of Team
Cocos, with an amazing burst of speed was the only one who was able to catch and
pass Todd by the end

The turnout was great, and the race was tons of fun for racers and spectators alike.  
A big thanks to Team Cocos, Brent Lucas, Debbie DiSario for her announcing and
Larry for giving up his Keirin racing for the night to be our pacer.  

The next event at the track will be the State Sprints

4-10-09
The latest Fastest Mile was one for the record books!! Despite the wind, some great
rides were completed.  Grant Potter of the / Racers Edge team broke the Mile record
held by KC Boutiette with a 1:58!  Sheldon Serrao, also of the Champion Porsche /
Herbalife/  Racers Edge cycling team matched KC's time with 2:00.  

The other big moment of the night was Mike Felling of the Nitro Shot/ Get Rid of My
BIke Cycling team.  At 54 years old had the fastest time of the 35+ Masters, took a
few minutes rest, and went back out to race again in the Pro 1,2 event, bettering his
time by about .5 second.  Congratulations to all who participated.

I'm still waiting for official results and photos.  I will post them as soon as I have
them.  

The State Sprint Championship is coming up Saturday, May 9, and the Masters State
Championships is the following weekend on Friday and Saturday.  In preparation for
these events the upcoming Saturday night racing will be fast and focused on speed.  
These races should be a lot of fun.  I hope to see you out there.
3-17-09
Racing season has started off well with a great turnout for the first Fastest Mile on
March 7 and the first night of Open Races on March 14.  The competition has been
fierce with the top 3 riders different in every event.  
Results are posted in the
RESULTS link.   We will not be racing this Saturday night.  Make sure you're ready for
the Fastest Mile coming up March 27 at 7:30pm(click here to see event flyer).

2-21-09
We are in process of forming a new team GET RID OF MY BIKE/ NITROSHOT.  We are
currently picking up sponsors.  Our goal is to partner with our sponsors to develop a
bigger interest in Track racing, through a grass roots program.  If you are interested
in becoming part of the team, either through sponsorship or as a rider, please email
me at floridatrackcycling@yahoo.com or call (954)826-5217.   Spots are filling up
fast, don't hesitate.
Florida Track Cycling
News and events
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advertising on the site,
please send an email to
mike@getridofmybike.com
Author Bio
Rider Bio:
Name- Sebastian Lifshotz
Age- 3
Team- Unattached
Race Category- Junior, Road 5, Track 5









Sebastian has been riding a bike for two weeks.  Coach Michael Lifshotz says, "I can't
believe the progress he's made in such a short time!  He has tons of potential."

2009 training plans include competing in the fastest mile event coming March 7, and riding
around the block with his mom and dad.  When asked what he likes best about riding a
bike, Sebastian said, "I like going RRREEEAALLLYY FFAAASSSTT, and I like crashing! "  
He's a born trackie.