04.13.11 - DAILY REPORT: JUNIOR PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – DAY 2

Canada’s team arrive in Mar Del Plata, Argentina after a long journey

(Ottawa, ON – April 12, 2011) Here is the daily report from Day 2 from the Canadian team at the 2011 Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plate, Argentina.

Coach – Rob Good
The Canadian team went into the Points race with high motivation. We knew Mexico, Chile and the host Argentina teams would be very strong. Emile Jean (Quebec) was the first to attack and take a couple of riders with him, although Jean did not score any points, it set up Alex Cataford to gain a couple of early points in the 25km race.

The pace of the race was constantly high, with riders being dropped from the 20-lap mark. The Canadian duo were part of three separate attacks in the mid part of the race, however, they were brought back to the field. On the last surge while our guys rested, the decisive break went up the road and that sealed the fate of Jean and Cataford. With both riders entered in the Individual Pursuit on Wednesday morning and no chance to get back on even terms with seven teams that were up a lap the two Canadians retired from the event.

Audrey Labrie (Quebec) was next to the line in the women’s 500m. Audrey had a difficult time getting out of the gate and managed to recover to finish in 8th position just behind the two riders from Mexico. Audrey is now preparing for the two team events on Wednesday.

Canada’s first medal came from Allison Beveridge, who was up against a very strong young woman from Mexico. Early in the 2km event, the two women were within metres of one another. In the last 500m, Allison was not able to keep pace and had to settle for a very hard fought silver medal. The was the first of eight events for the Calgary rider. In the Qualifying round, Nina Nesdoly (Ontario) just finished outside of the medal round for a very solid 5th place.

The Team sprint team was up against a stout squad from Equator. In the bronze medal match, the Canadian team was just edged at the line. A fine performance by the entire team...

On Wednesday, nine of the ten riders will be competing. It will be the busiest day of the week. The Canadian team has plans to reach the finals in all the events. The events start early 9am with Jean and Cataford in the Individual Pursuit, with Aidan Caves and Kyle Buckosky making their debut in the men’s scratch race.

Athlete – Kris Ovsenek – London, ON
Today was the first day of racing and it was full of excitement. After waking up and driving to the velodrome, it was time to prepare for the races. The day began with my most important event, the Men’s Team Sprint. The sprint team consisted of Daniel Mckenzie-Picot, Jesse Marans, and Kris Ovsenek. The team was third to the line, and was able to slip into fourth position, making them eligible for the bronze medal round in the afternoon. In the Women’s Individual Pursuit Allison Beveridge also qualified for the finals, in the gold medal round. Nina Nesdoly came 5th in the Individual Pursuit, setting a personal best.

Racing continued in the afternoon with the Men’s Points Race, where Emile Jean and Alex Cataford started out strong. They were unable to join into a key break, and so decided to pull out so that they could conserve their energy for the Men’s Individual Pursuit tomorrow. Next up, Allison Beveridge competed for the gold medal against Mexican rider Ingrid Drexel. The two fought strong, and Allison won the silver medal. Then, we were back up for the Team Sprint, and decided to change the order of riders in an attempt to achieve a better time. The team ended the day in fourth place.

Tomorrow the riders will compete in the Men’s Individual pursuit, Men’s Keirin, Men’s Scratch race, Women’s Team Pursuit and Team Sprint.