Michigan racers Kacey Manderfield and Theresa Cliff-Ryan are currently SMACK in the MIDDLE of racing the Rotterdam 6-day track race, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Both Theresa and Kacey are originally members of the Wolverine Sports Club. Kacey is a member of the Wolverine Sports Club and got her start in racing at the International Velodrome at Bloomer Park in Rochester, Michigan and was originally coached by Dale Hughes.

Here's a dutch article on the pair:
http://bf-one.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1099:kacey-manderfield&catid=65:column-van-&Itemid=96

Read below the press release and Kacey's report from the first couple of days:

PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2010
Contact: kacey manderfield
Email: Ka.manderfield@gmail.com

ROTTERDAM READY !!!!

Michigan natives and Madison duo Theresa Cliff-Ryan and Kacey Manderfield will be the only US pairing taking on the predominantly European field of racers at the Rotterdam 6 Day – January 7-12, 2010. With roots in the Midwest they are sure to be ready for the winter weather in the Netherlands, but the focus targets what they will do on the wood boards of the indoor Velodrome.

One of Cliff-Ryan’s first Madison races was done with Manderfield on the Velodrome at BloomerPark in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Since, they have ridden together both on the Michigan track and also at the ValleyPreferredCycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. With the addition of being teammates on the Verducci/Breakaway road squad for two years, the pair has a good feel for racing together. Cliff-Ryan is quick to joke with Manderfield; “Even with the difference in height we really work well together in the Madison,” and Manderfield will smile with agreement; “I think we make a solid Madison team.”

Manderfield, one of the more experienced female riders in the 'madison' has spent a large portion of this winter preparing for Rotterdam, in Los Angeles, and is excited about racing Holland's premier Six Day. Meanwhile, Cliff-Ryan has been busy producing some World Cup results with a podium for Bronze in the Scratch Race at the Melbourne World Cup, in Australia.

Verducci/Breakaway is the Philadelphia based sponsor who will be supporting the team for the event. After securing a team slot for Rotterdam, Verducci contacted Manderfield with a request to re-unite with Cliff-Ryan. Manderfield was;

“Thrilled with the opportunity to ride a 6 Day and excited to ride with Theresa.” The pair will ride Verducci/Breakaway shorts and a stars and stripes themed jersey provided by Dutch Sponsors, Media Markt.

To follow the Rotterdam 6 Day some links have been listed below for your
use. Manderfield will also make an effort to keep little updates coming through her Twitter account – kmanderz

Links:

Rotterdam site – video

http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/

Rotterdam site – program (in German)
http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/index.cfm?site_id=10

CyclingNews:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/6-daagse-van-rotterdam-6d2




PRE-RACE BUILD UP!!!

An Account of Rotterdam 6 Day 2010...

After only a few days spent at 'home' in Pennsylvania it was time to pack the bags once again. Off to the Netherlands to race at the Rotterdam 6 Day! The new PARLEE track bike was packed into a normal looking suitcase with one of the race wheels and then it was just the wheel case and a backpack to hit the road with. Hats off to Alitalia Airline who is still allowing two checked bags free for international flights – first time in a long time getting through with no bag charges. Everything was running smoothly until the flight out of Newark left 1hr late – with only 1:15 layover in Rome it was going to be close if even possible. Sure enough there was no way to make the connecting flight so 1hr layover quickly turned into just over 3hrs. I still have a very hard time understanding why people feel the need to run, rush, push and shove to get in line for boarding a plane with assigned seats – hurry! hurry! be the first one to clam your tiny seat and squeeze into the medal tube – just so hard to understand. Although it can be rather entertaining watching a bunch of Italians scramble around.

All considered the landing in Amsterdam was smooth and all my luggage came through. The blackberry SIM card was being rejected, which resulted in paying 3euros for 15minutes of net access to obtain phone numbers and then experimenting with the pay phones – all instructions in Dutch! Lucky the contact in Amsterdam turned out to be a very nice American, John, from Ohio. He
obviously spoke very true English and it took a whopping 30-45 seconds on the phone before we were joking around. John is part of management at the Amsterdam velodrome and he kindly picked me up and took me straight to the track in time to make evening open riding session.

Open Riding Session: The Amsterdam track is an indoor 225meter wood track. Without exaggeration there were easily 50+ riders on the track at any given time, ranging from around 9 years old to those in their 50's. At first this atmosphere caused a bit of anxiety in my gut as this same set up in the States would be a sure recipe for disaster. However, it was soon clear everyone was completely comfortable and moved in a smooth fluid manner – only seen from those who have spent a lot of time on and around bikes. It served as a clear reminder of the cultural difference seen in the Netherlands as compared to the States. Everyone here rides a bike just to get around on a daily basis. There are bike paths everywhere and it does not matter if it is below zero degrees Celsius – they just put on layers and pedal their bike!

The New PARLEE: Is amazing! The bike is so nimble and responsive it took me a few laps to adjust to that feeling – realizing my previous bike was more of a 'tank' than originally thought. I'm very happy with it and can not wait to get its first race under the belt!

Following track session John drove Dean Tracy (fellow American here to compete in the sprints) and myself to the race hotel in Rotterdam. Another new friend, Charlotte, came with us too as she will be one of the drivers for the events and she needed to pick up her vehicle from the Ahoy Velodrome (Rotterdam 6 Day event venue). We all stopped at the Ahoy Velodrome and got to meet some of the race staff and take a peek at the velodrome – the infield pieces still be constructed and the velodrome being painted with sponsor names and logos. The network of lighting rigs hanging from the ceiling are impressive and the massive disco ball in the middle is a sure sign of the party atmosphere soon to come! Leaving with even more anticipation of what is to come it was time to go get settled at the hotel and get a much needed and desired shower after more than 24 hours of travel and a short ride at the velodrome.

The next day came quickly (one day till racing) and the morning is consumed with the organization of the 'bag dump' from the previous night, breakfast, roller session to spin the legs, some yoga, organizing logistical issues and little down time before Theresa Cliff-Ryan (my 6 Day partner) and Phil (our event manager) arrive. A travel delay worth noting – Phil had a lady pass out in the middle of their flight and then a cat got loose once they had landed and the airline would not allow anyone off the plane until the cat was captured! What a story! In any case it was not going to be time conducive for us to make the Amsterdam afternoon training time, which was a blessing as we later learned Amsterdam had a winter wonderland evening and Charlotte – a local – reported her 12mile drive home from work taking over 3 hours!

Currently we are settled at the hotel and it is time to head out the door to the races! This is gonna rock!

Best,

kacey

yea, we stole this, so what? KACEY N co. FUCKIN ROCKS!!!!!!

thanks MBRA!