08.13.10 - Alex Cataford Had An Exhausting Day At Track World Jr Championships

Canadian officials “very happy” with the team’s performances

(Montichiari, Italy – August 13, 2010) Florence Laplante-Lamarche and Alex Cataford, both cyclists from Ottawa, Ont. competed today at the 2010 UCI Track World Junior Championships, and Cataford showed an impressive level of fitness taking part in both the 25km Points race and the first three of six Omnium events showcased Friday at the velodrome in Montichiari, Italy.

Cataford opened up the day racing the Men’s 25km Points race, which is 100 laps of 250 meters, finishing in 22nd.

In the Omnium event, which is six different events held on two days, Cataford placed 16th in the 250m flying start time trial, by posting a time of 14.218 seconds in the opening race of the Omnium. Cataford redeemed himself in the second race, placing sixth with 25 points in the 15km Points race. After a long day of racing on the track, Cataford raced the third Omnium event, the Elimination race, and was the first racer to be eliminated for the 23rd position.

“Overall, we estimate he (Cataford) raced over 75 km today, plus his warm up and cool downs. He was quite burned out after today’s races. He’s going to need a great day tomorrow to come back for a chance.”

The Omnium event, considered to be a true test of all around track cyclists, continues tomorrow with the remaining three events: the Individual pursuit, the Scratch and Time trial. Cataford is currently ranked in 15th position with 45 points. In the Omnium, the lower score will win the overall event.

“We are very happy with the team’s performance so far. We’re not just here to participate for the sake of being here; we’re definitely competing right up there with everyone else,” said Jeff Ain, a Canadian coach with the team in Italy. “Alex is a first year junior showing some pretty incredible talent. The guy is strong as a hawk, and just keeps on going.”

Florence Laplante-Lamarche opened her day of racing by qualifying in the Women’s Sprint, a three-lap race. Her first duel in the elimination round was against Yesna Rijkhoff, a Dutch rider, a race she won by photo finish. In the second round, Laplante-Lamarche conceded defeat to Italian Stella Tomassini to be relegated into the Repechage round. Facing American Madalyn Godby and Greek Dimitra Papati, Florence flew to victory with a time of 12.680 seconds to stay alive and move into the 5-8 placing round. Laplante-Lamarche eventually placed third to finish in seventh place overall.

The 2010 UCI Track World Junior Championships continues tomorrow in Montichiari, Italy and ends on Sunday.

Full results of the 2010 UCI Track World Junior Championships can be found on http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/cmt2010_juniors/index.htm

SCHEDULE – 2010 UCI TRACK WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, August 14
Scratch 7.5k (W)
Keirin (M)
Sprint (W)
Omnium (M)

Sunday, August 15
Kilometre Time Trial (M)
Madison 30k (M)
Omnium (W)
Keirin (W)