Cycling / Tim Brown : Manley Optimistic Despite Disqualification in Individual Trial

Maureen Manley didn’t even hang around for the medal ceremony.

After establishing the time to beat early in Wednesday’s individual time trial in the U. S. National Cycling Championships, she watched as the final three riders eclipsed her mark of 56 minutes, 18 seconds over the 24.8-mile course. There is no room on the blocks for fourth place.

So Manley slipped away from the Coalville, Utah, course disappointed in the finish but pleased with her effort. It wasn’t until several hours later that Manley discovered she wouldn’t even be allowed that pleasure.

The 24-year-old Thousand Oaks resident and Team USA member learned that she had been stripped of her fourth-place standing for crossing the center line midway through the race.

“That was kind of a bummer,” Manley said. “It was a fast downhill into a sharp left turn. I was going around 40 miles per hour and there was no cone. I guess I cut it too close. But I believe that a majority of the riders were taking the same line I was.

“I’m pretty proud of my ride, though. It wasn’t like I was cheating.”

Besides, she has several more opportunities to redeem herself. Manley still has races left in the team time trial, criterium and road race. If the national team, for which Manley races, finishes today’s 50-kilometer time trial in 1:08 or less, it would earn a berth in the World Championships, which will be held in France in August.

“I really have to put everything behind me and focus on the next race,” she said. “It’s a good thing I have other things to look forward to.”

Add nationals: Chatsworth’s John Tomac and West Hills’ John Wordin finished ninth and 14th respectively, but there were other solid performances by Valley-area riders in the individual time trial.

Studio City’s Kerry Stockwell was 21st with a time of 53:10.51 and Glendale’s Benjamin Swann was 43rd in 54:23.79. Both are members of Montrose Cycle Club. Tomac was timed in 51:26.26, just ahead of Wordin’s 52:26.91.

Weekend warriors: Just the idea of joining a cycling club gives the average rider visions of careening out of control at 40 m.p.h. in the middle of some hell-bent peloton. A pace line? He’s just getting the hang of a straight line.

That’s where the San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club comes in.

The club was established in 1975, has grown from 12 members to nearly 900, and caters primarily to riders whose idea of improved aerodynamics is to remove the basket and bell from the handlebars.

“We’re trying to appeal to the vast audience,” said club president Ed Young, who, at 62, began cycling just eight years ago. Young’s wife, Udas, also has served as president.

“Our club doesn’t sponsor any racing,” he said. “It works just fine.”

This is not to say there aren’t advanced riders in the pack. Young calls them the “renegade group.”

Saturday and Sunday rides ranging from 25 miles and less to 100 miles begin at 8 a.m. from Cal State Northridge. Orientation rides for beginners are held on the first Saturday of every month. In addition to periodic classes on bicycle maintenance, the club offers the occasional time trial and long distance and American Youth Hostel rides.

A 60-mile ride from Ventura to Santa Barbara and back is scheduled for Sunday.

Information: 818-787-2788.

Right on track: So you want to be a track racer? The Encino Velodrome has a beginners’ class starting July 24 at 9 a.m. as part of its Youth Cycling Program.

The class, which is open to boys and girls aged 10-18, is free. The Velodrome provides bikes and helmets.

“All they need to show up with is enthusiasm and their parents’ signature,” track official Rick Denman said.

Add racing: The Encino Velodrome has made a bid to the United States Cycling Federation to play host to the 1990 Junior National Road and Track Championships and the Junior World Trials next summer, according to Jeff Morseburg, co-race director at the track.

Encino would appear to have the advantage because it has offered to hold the road races as well as the track events. The only other bid has been made by a group in Albany, N. Y., which has no track facilities.

Morseburg said that he expects a decision from the USCF by September.

Last add racing: The Velodrome stages track racing nearly every Saturday night from April through the end of September. The program begins at 7 p.m.

This week’s schedule includes Amateur Athletic Foundation youth races and a regular race schedule, which includes events for seniors, juniors and women.

Information: 818-881-7441.

Junior juggernauts: Of the cyclists who have qualified for the Junior National Road and Track Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., in August, several do their training in the Valley area.

They are Van Nuys’ Ryan Murphy, North Hollywood’s Scott Neumann, Sepulveda’s Willie Wood, Sherman Oaks’ Haldane Morris and Northridge’s Kevin Wright.