As track cycling competition closes, focus shifts to upcoming road race
MONTIGNY-LE-BRETTONEUX, FRANCE — On the concluding day of competition at the velodrome, Team USA track cyclists demonstrated their versatility by competing in non-specialty events, showcasing their adaptability across different race formats despite not advancing to the finals.
Branden Walton (Windsor, Calif.) and pilot Spencer Seggebruch (Saint Louis, Minn.) shifted gears from the grueling 4000-meter B individual pursuit endurance event to the explosive 1000m B time trial, requiring a significant adjustment in both physical demands and racing strategy.
“I pushed really hard in the beginning and tried to spin my legs really fast, that’s really it,” Walton said.
Walton described the performance with great simplicity, yet the execution proved to be a nuanced and challenging feat to master.
“If you hold on too tight, the bike shakes, the bike wobbles, and it’s really hard to steer,” Seggebruch said. “You’re really tense in the legs, but you’re almost barely holding the handlebars. It’s balancing going all out, while being very delicate.”
Walton and Spencer appeared to achieve equilibrium, impressively finishing their heat in first place; however, their initial success was short-lived as the remaining riders ultimately overtook them in subsequent rounds.
Quickly following the men, riders Hannah Chadwick (El Cerrito, Calif.) and pilot Skyler Espinoza (Freeport, Maine) dazzled spectators in the women's 3000m B individual pursuit. The pair dominated the race, establishing a commanding lead of almost nine seconds against Team Malaysia. Chadwick and Espinoza crossed the finish line with a notable time of 3:40.259, breaking their own personal record set during their gold medal performance in the Parapan American Games Santiago 2023. As they entered the infield, fellow competitors warmly embraced the duo, offering heartfelt congratulations on their outstanding achievement.
“It’s nice to feel the progress and the hard work paying off here,” Chadwick said. "What makes their performance even more impressive is that Chadwick and Espinoza consider the high intensity 1000m event to be their specialty. While the 3000m pursuit demanded a more tactical approach, the pair entered the race with a sense of ease, free from the pressure typically associated with their preferred format.
“We had a loose plan based on what we did in Pan American Games, but it was not, ‘we have to get this or else’ kind of plan,” Chadwick said.
Though Chadwick and Espinoza were satisfied with their performance, the effort was ultimately not enough to propel them forward in the competition.
As the velodrome falls silent at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Team USA riders will trade the controlled environment of the indoor oval for the unpredictable challenges of the open roads, beginning Sept. 4. Viewers can stream the events live on Peacock, NBC, USA Network and CNBC.
Follow U.S. Paralympics Cycling on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates.
Team USA Results
Hannah Chadwick and Skyler Espinoza (pilot): 6th, 3000m individual pursuit women’s B
Branden Walton and Spencer Seggebruch (pilot): 8th, 1000m time trial men’s B.
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