Hines Sets 40K Record at U.S. Cycling Championships

Phyllis Hines of Tullahoma, Tenn., rode to a national cycling record Sunday in winning the U.S. National Championships’ women’s 40-kilometer individual time trial, beating the old record by more than 20 seconds.

She covered the 24 miles in 55 minutes 26.44 seconds. The previous record was 55:46.71, held by Jane Marshall of Albuquerque, N.M., who finished third.

Taking the silver medal was Jeanne Golay of Hollywood, Fla.

Hines said she didn’t realize she was on a record-breaking pace, but “it was going to be a disappointment” if she didn’t come in under 56 minutes.

Hines’ bicycle was equipped with new skinny handlebars and a gearshift on the handlebar grips that she said helped her maintain an aerodynamic position on her bike.

“It kept me in a real nice tuck, and I could just concentrate on my legs,” Hines said.

Marshall said she felt “regretful” about losing the record.

“I didn’t think this was a record course, to tell you the truth,” because of the hills and gusty winds Sunday, she said.

Marshall said she was surprised 15 of the top riders finished in under an hour, indicating the course was faster than she thought.

The Nationals are being held for the first time in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic trials.

The 40-kilometer individual time trial is a race against the clock in which the riders leave the starting line at one-minute intervals. The racers ride out for 12 miles and return over the same route.

The next step comes Tuesday, when riders will be paired in two-man teams, based on their finishes in the individual races.

Based on the results of these races, an eight-man team will be selected to compete for the 100-kilometer Olympic four-man team time-trial event. A five-rider team for both the men’s and women’s road racing also will be chosen.

The Olympic road racing teams in Seoul will consist of three men and three women. There is no women’s team time trial event in the Olympics, so this is only for the national championships.

The top two riders in the men’s and women’s road races will get automatic Olympic berths.