October 21/21 21:57 pm - Canada Shows Strength on Day 2 of Track Worlds
Posted by Editoress on 10/21/21
Day 2 of the Track World Championships in Roubaix, France, on Thursday, was a day of promise for Canada. Two Canadians - Kelsey Mitchell and Lauriane Genest - made it through to tomorrow's semi-final round of the Women's Sprint, so Canada is assured of a medal of some colour; the medals will be contested between two Canadians and two German riders. Sarah Orban qualified 12th in the Women's Sprint and won her one-sixteenth final, but was relegated for wavering outside the sprinter's lane in the final half lap.
Kelsey Mitchell winning 1/4 Final Women's Sprint
It took 3 rides, but Lauriane Genest won her Quarter Final
Women's Team Pursuit rode for Bronze
The Canadian women's Team Pursuit squad outdid themselves with a personal best time in the first round, to put themselves into the bronze medal final. They lost to the Brits, but for this young team it is an indication of better things to come.
Women's endurance coach Jenny Trew spoke about the advancement of her young squad to the medal round: "It was a really great ride for the women to make the bronze medal rounds at their first Elite World Championship with a team personal best of 4:20.1. Two days in they have shown they can compete with the best in the World and it's very exciting. There is plenty to learn and improve upon, but I think the whole team can go home motivated to build on this momentum. They did awesome!"
In other Canadian results, Hugo Barrette finished ninth overall in the Men's Keirin, and Sarah van Dam, competing for Canada in the first ever Women's Elimination, finished 20th.
Barrette had to go through the repechage to qualify for the second round of the Keirin, winning the 'last chance' race. However, he had to line up for the next round only shortly after racing, and said he was not fully recovered.
"It happened so quickly. I knew what to do and where to position [myself], but I just hadn't recovered enough. I was not able to do my usual ride."
In the small final for 7-12 places, Barrette led early [he was chosen for the lead spot in the draw] but was caught and passed by two riders before the finish line.
"Of course I always want to win, but I executed my ride. It's a combination of circumstances for the positions and being first is difficult, especially in big rounds with a lot of experienced and fast riders. I still managed well and a ninth place, that remains a top-10 in the world I always want more, but I will to take it!"
Hugo Barrette in 7-12 Keirin Final
Track World Championships: Day 2 results
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