Junior Track Cycling

Twelve-Year-Old Cycling Record Falls To Local 15 Year Old Cyclist
Colleen Hayduk of Kutztown breaks 500 meter record in Colorado Springs

(Kutztown, PA)— Team Fuji / Salamander developmental cycling team announced today that team member Colleen Hayduk (Kutztown, PA) recently broke the United States National record for the 500 meter time trial in track cycling for women ages 15 and 16. The record was broken at the 7-Eleven Olympic Velodrome in Colorado, Springs, CO on August 15, 2006.

The old record of 38.23 seconds had stood firm for twelve years. Hayduk shattered the time in a record 37.47 seconds, only two tenths of a second shy of the women’s 17-18 age group record of 37.28 seconds, suggesting that the record for 17-18 is likely to fall next year when Colleen is officially racing in this age category.

Setting the new National Record was an achievement that capped a truly outstanding year in 2006 for Hayduk.

“I am so thrilled to set this record,” says Hayduk who flew to Colorado Springs, CO to make the record attempt. “We decided to fly out and make the record attempt right away, before any altitude problems set in.” The record was to be set during an official USCF track event being held at the same time. However, when a lightning strike damaged the lighting system at the Olympic Velodrome, the night of racing was canceled less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled record attempt. That left Colleen, her coach and the USCF officials to focus on the task at hand and before the sun set. Although it was the only race run that evening, it was well worth watching as the record attempt was successful.

“I have had a tremendous season this year and feel very fortunate to have had an opportunity to make this record attempt.” Hayduk adds, “working with someone as talented as Olympic cyclist Jame Carney as my coach has been very important in my success on the track and road.”

Hayduk’s successful 2006 season included winning three National Championships. First she won the women’s 15-16 Road Criterium championship in Seven Springs, PA in early July. This was immediately followed by two National Championships at the USA Cycling Junior Track Nationals, held at the local Velodrome in Trexlertown, PA, in the women’s 15-16 Track Omnium and the women’s Team Sprint. Three gold medals later, she was invited to make the record attempt.

“Colleen achieved several 500 Meter Time Trial times this year that would have qualified her to participate in the Junior World Championships,” comments Team Fuji / Salamander director, Patricia Marzi, “but she was too young based on the rules to attend. We’re excited at her prospects for next year.”

Hayduk’s goal for next year, at age 17, is to qualify for Junior Worlds which will be held in Aguascalientes, Mexico [Google Earth view].

Colleen started racing with the Future Cycling Champions Club out of Trexlertown, PA which is now part of the Lehigh Wheelmen Association (www.lehighwheelmen.org), a cycling club for touring and racing, juniors and adults. She is currently racing for Team Fuji/Salamander, a club based out of Kutztown, PA (www.teamfuji.com)

Much of Hayduk’s time is spent training and racing at the world class Lehigh Valley Velodrome. “Competing at such an incredible facility against women from all over the world is a major advantage for me”, says Hayduk. When not spending time on the Velodrome track, Hayduk does road rides up to 60 miles long. “There are so many great roads throughout Berks County to train on,” she adds.

About Team Fuji / Salamander
Team Fuji is an elite Junior and Espoir team whose goal is to fuel the Olympic dreams of young and developing cyclists. Based out of Kutztown, PA, the team has met with much success in both road and track events. Under the guidance of two-time Olympian Jame Carney, Team Fuji is home to the 2006 Espoir Women’s Criterium Champion, multiple Jr. National Track and Criterium Champions, and members of the 2006 Jr. Worlds Team.
For more information contact Pat Marzi, Director, Team Fuji 610-914-9943