So, in case you didn't know, this week is Little 500 week. (And if you didn't know, it's probably time to leave the Wells library.) In preparation for this weekend's races, we'll be posting some things to watch for the race. In countdown style.
So today, it's 5 riders to watch.
Right away, I'm going to break my own rules, because you'll notice it's not exactly five specific riders. Oh well...
Follow the jump for the lists, which are in alphabetical order...
Men
- Jordan Bailey, Black Key Bulls - BKB's fastest sprinter spent the past weekend competing in a triathlon in Texas, but his event was cut short by a flat tire (just like BKB's Little 500 race in '09). There shouldn't be any lingering effects from the tri, but he clearly adds an element to the BKB team. Without him, the team finished sixth in team pursuit. That means BKB is pretty good without their fastest rider. With their fastest rider, can they win the whole thing?
- David Ellis, Phi Gamma Delta - One of last year's Rookies of the Year, Ellis will likely be the man on the bike for FIJI at the end of the race. If his team puts him in a good enough position, will he be fast enough to outsprint Eric Young, among others? His team posted a disappointing 11th-place quals run, and Ellis finished 11th in ITTs (4th last year), so he'll have the chance to prove himself on race day.
- Zach Lusk/Michael Schroeder, Cutters - So I'm breaking the rules a bit with two guys here, but Lusk and Schroeder will be vital to the Cutters' hope for four in a row. Clayton Feldman will probably put in lots of laps and Young will be on the bike at the end, but it's not a two-man team. The Cutters struggled in Team Pursuit on Saturday with Lusk needing some help at the end. Last year, Schroeder was involved in a race-day accident with a Phi Psi rider. If these two put in solid laps, the Cutters could see similar results from the past practice race in which they lapped the field.
- Zach Trogdon, Gray Goat Cycling - Trogdon could be the guy on the bike at the end of the race for Gray Goat Cycling. If he is, Trogdon - like Ellis and all the other sprinters not named Eric Young - will be trying to beat the fastest cyclist in the field. Even with Gray Goat's talent, is it possible to out-sprint Young?
- Chris West, Phi Delta Theta - Phi Delta Theta has plenty of depth, which is never a bad thing. But it also means making decisions when it comes to who makes the race-day roster. For Phi Delta Theta, they are going with their Team Pursuit roster, which means Chris West nabbed the final spot over race veteran Matt Kain. Kain has not been at full strength this spring, but it will be important for PDT that West proves he deserved that final spot. The whole team has been hot in the last two spring series events, which bodes well for race day.
Others: DTD's James Coudright, any Phi Psi rider, Phi Delt's Steve Sharp, Sigma Chi's Adam Morrow (or Fish or Strickland), the Kiel brothers; obviously, Young and Feldman, too (I assume people know to watch for them...)
Women
- Jennifer Balbach, Kappa Delta - Last year, Kappa Delta had a deep team. This year, the team's success will depend heavily on Balbach as the only returning rider from last year's race-day squad. Balbach finished 5th in ITTs and her team qualified 8th - so is it too much to expect a top 3 finish from a team that will rely heavily on just one rider?
- Caroline Brown, Pi Beta Phi - Speaking of relying on one rider, Pi Beta Phi did it quite well last year, as Brown rode more than 70 percent of the race last year en route to Pi Phi's first ever Little 500 title. This year, she'll be called on to do the same thing, and maybe with less support - only two of her teammates competed in ITTs (finishing 81st and 104th) and the team only submitted three names for the race-day roster.
- Lauren Half/Kelsey Kent, Delta Gamma - Again, breaking the rules a little bit. Kent and Half might be the best tandem in either the men's and women's race. Unlike Teter, who rallied behind Caitlin Van Kooten in the Team Pursuit event, there was some depth issues with the four riders. Expect Half and Kent to see plenty of time on the bike Friday and between the two, they could keep DG in contention to win.
- Caitlin Van Kooten, Teter - Van Kooten dominated the Spring Series, sweeping all events. Most impressive, though, might've been that her Teter teammates kept pace with her during Team Pursuit. With equally strong support on race day, Van Kooten may have the freshest legs when it comes to the final sprint. And that's not a good thing for the other teams.
- Sonja Arnesen, Gamma Phi Beta - Gamma Phi Beta might not have the strength to win this year, but Arnesen is one of the more talented riders in the women's field. Just like Balbach and Brown, how far can Gamma Phi Beta go on the strength of one rider? The team qualified sixth and, unlike the two others mentioned, probably has a bit more depth. Can Gamma Phi Beta get a top three finish?
Others: Any rider from Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma or Army Women (no rider jumps out above the rest of their teammates), AGD's Mindi Balchan
Tuesday will be 4 stats to follow.Wednesday - 3 dark horse candidates. Thursday - 2 top contenders. And Friday, 1 race favorite. This is just a means to start a conversation and the lists are naturally too short, so we can't mention every rider or every team. That's where you're input is wanted - who do you think should fit these categories?
