Andrew Barker, KY qualifier podium
Above center, Andrew Barker took the overall omnium at the recent Junior World Qualifer in Stanton, KY.

This past weekend I lined up with all the fastest Juniors in the country (minus Taylor Phinney of course because he is too busy setting world records) in the very tiny town of Stanton, Kentucky to try and earn a spot on the world championships team. There were two races that mattered for qualification: a 17-mile time trial and a 70-mile road race.

Saturday’s time trial was filled with lots of rollers. The race itself went well enough for me as I took 3rd. It probably helped that I had just raced the state time trial where trucks got in the way of the race because there was a bit of car dodging in this TT as well. On the route, I ended up passing 3 cars and a tracker driving through town…go figure!

Sunday’s road race seemed to fly by. With a few short, but very steep climbs and LOTS of steep rolling hills, countless short-lived attacks kept things interesting. After several attempts, I was able to put myself in a successful breakaway before the last climb by bridging up to a group of three other riders. On the climb, our break had about a minute advantage and we ended up shedding two riders. Coming into the finish, I was alone with just one other rider. I had tried several times to get rid of him, but he was still able to stick with me. Riding towards a sprint finish, I knew that I was going to lose to the other rider who has a powerful jump. I did what I could in the last couple hundred meters, but I ended up finishing 2nd.

Overall, I was happy with how I did and with how smart I rode the race. Plus I ended up taking the overall omnium win with my consistent finishes.

Thanks for reading! Andrew