Kaia Schmid (Marblehead, Mass.; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) kicked off the 2021 UCI Junior Track World Championships for Team USA with a bang, placing fourth in the Junior Women’s Scratch Race. This is the 18-year-olds first world championship and is a solid start to the event for her. Schmid will race four more events this week in Cairo.
Looking forward to Schmid’s future events, USA Cycling Coach Joanne Keisanowski said, “This race gives Kaia a lot of confidence going into the next races. She looked very strong out on the track and rode in a solid position the entire race.”
Schmid started with a heat of the scratch race, which determined the racers that would make it in the final. She was dominant in the event and placed second behind Russian rider Valeria Valgonen, who lapped the field. In the final, Schmid rode defensively, covering any attacks and making the bunch stay together. Jette Simon (GER) attacked with about 1.5 kilometers in the race. There were complications with the final sprint, but Simon stayed out front to claim the first rainbow jersey of the championship.
1. Jette Simon (GER)
2. Marith Vanhove (BEL)
3. Valentina Basilico (ITA)
4. Kaia Schmid (USA)
On Thursday, Schmid takes on the Elimination Race, Mia Deye (Geigertown, Pa.; Star Track Racing) starts the Women’s Sprint tournament, and Finn Koller (Bethlehem, Pa.; Sprinter’s Edge) races the Men’s Keirin, and Dakota Stein (Orwigsburg, Pa.; Sprinter’s Edge) tries his hand at the Scratch Race.
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