Kaia Schmid (Marblehead, Mass.; LUX/Sideshow p/b Specialized) added a silver medal to her collection on Friday at the 2021 UCI Junior Track World Championships, with her performance in the Junior Women’s Omnium.
This is the second podium appearance and third top-5 result at the event for Schmid in three days. When talking about her performance today, she said, “I am over the moon right now with excitement. Standing on this podium means everything to me, and I am happy I could make the USA proud.”
Schmid opened the four-event Omnium with a solid start in the Scratch Race, winning the event. In the second event of the Omnium, the Tempo Race, she had a solid showing, claiming fourth in that event. In the third event, the Elimination Race, the individual event, Schmid won on Thursday; she placed second. Going into the final event, the Points Race, she had amassed a total of 112 points. It all came down to the final sprint, as Inna Abaidullina (RUS) had tied it up with Schmid throughout the 60 lap Points Race. Abaidullina was able just to edge out Schmid and would take the win for the Omnium.
1. Inna Abaidullina (RUS) 122 pts
2. Kaia Schmid (USA) 118 pts
3. Valentina Basilico (ITA) 110 pts
Mia Deye (Geigertown, Pa.; Star Track Racing) picked up where she left off yesterday in the Junior Women’s Sprint, in the semifinals—going up against the top seed from qualifying, Alina Lysenko of Russia. Deye had a challenging task ahead of her. Unfortunately, Lysenko would prove too strong, and Deye would move onto the bronze medal final. Her opponent for the bronze was Yuliya Golubkova (KAZ). Although displaying strong tactics during riding, Deye was unable to overcome Golubkova, finishing fourth.
Deye’s placing is the best placing for the U.S. in the Junior Sprint event, of any gender, since 2012, when current Olympic Gold medalist in the Omnium, Jennifer Valente (San Diego; Twenty24 Cycling), earned fourth.
Talking with Deye about her first world championship appearance, she said, “I am starstruck to be here. Finishing fourth is an accomplishment I am pleased to see, although missing bronze was bittersweet. Being the first sprinter to get this far in 10 years is a tremendous feeling. I can’t wait to see more results later in the week!!”
1. Alina Lysenko (RUS)
2. Alla Biletska (UKR)
3. Yuliya Golubkova (KAZ)
4. Mia Deye (USA)
Finn Koller (Bethlehem, Pa.; Sprinter’s Edge) tried his hand at the sprints today. In the 200-meter qualifying, Koller stopped the clock at 11.203 seconds, slotting him into 18th. Going into the first round of sprinting, Koller went up against German rider Max-David Briese, who had clocked a 10.891 for his 200-meter qualifying. Unfortunately, Koller was unable to over Briese and ended his run in the sprints there.
On Saturday, Dakota Stein (Orwigsburg, Pa.; Sprinter’s Edge) starts the Junior Men’s Omnium, and Schmid will try her hand at the Points Race.
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