03.24.11 - CANADA’S WOMEN TEAM PURSUIT TEAM SIXTH AT TRACK CYCLING WORLDS

The trio of Whitten, Brown and Hughes posts good performance in first race together

(Apeldoorn, NED - March 24, 2011) The 2011 UCI Track World Championships continued today, and it was the time for Canada’s Women Team Pursuit to shine against the world’s top teams.

The Canadian squad comprised of Tara Whitten of Edmonton, AB, Laura Brown of Vancouver, BC and Clara Hughes of Glen Sutton, QC placed sixth with a time of 3:27.255, running a good race in their first race as a unit.

“Each team member gave everything they had today, and we had really good communication during the race, which was very positive, said Tara Whitten after the race. “I think there is a feeling among all four of us here for the team pursuit that this is just the beginning. We have come a long way from last year, and although it doesn't necessarily show in our final placing yet, I think we are now on the verge of a huge breakthrough!”

The team started off with a slow start – the tenth fastest of the race, but management to get back on the saddle and increase their speed in the second and third kilometres of the race, posting the fourth fastest in the third kilometre.

Laura Brown of Vancouver, BC was thrilled with the performance of the team in their first race.

“I would have to say the most positive experience of the trip was the support staff and coaches. They were all so UNBELIEVABLE on this trip. I had complete trust in all those surrounding me so that all I had to do today was get on my bike and ride as hard as I possibly could,” commented Brown. “It was the first time Tara, Myself, and Clara have raced before I think what we accomplished today is a good place to start.”

Results – Women’s Team Pursuit (Qualifications)

In the end, the time wasn’t enough for the team to get a second race as only the top four team moves on to race for medals.

The Great Britain team and the American team and the faced off in gold medal dual. The two powerhouses qualified for the final with the top two times of 2:23.642 and 3:23.965 respectively. At the end of the day, it was the Great Britain team who took the gold medal with a time of 2:16.122.

New Zealand and Australia faced off in the bronze medal match up, where the new-zealand team posted the fastest time for the bronze medal.

In the men’s sprints, Scott Mulder of Vancouver, BC, who is racing for the first time at World Championships, finished in 36th with a time of 10.708 seconds. Yesterday, Mulder took part in the Men’s Team Sprints and finished 18th along with his teammates.

Results – Men’s Sprints (Qualifications)

In the Men’s individual pursuit, it was all Australia as they placed three riders in the Top 4 with Jack Bobridge leading the charge with a qualifying time of 4:17.465, an impressive five-second lead on his closest competitor Jesse Sergent of New Zealand. In the end, Bobridge was just too strong and defeated Sergent in the gold medal duel with a time of 4:21.41, while his teammate Michael Hepburn of Australia raced to the bronze.

COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/classics2011_apeldoorn/index.htm

SCHEDULE

March 25 – Men’s Sprints; Women’s Sprints; Men’s Omnium I, II, III

March 26 – Men’s Omnium IV, V, VI; Women’s Omnium I, II, III; Women’s Sprints

March 27 – Women’s Omnium IV, V, VI