September 18/98 12:04 pm - Commonwealth Games News, Netherlands Tour

Posted by Editor on 09/18/98
 

Commonwealth Games News
(courtesy Steve Lund)

Tonight saw the semi-finals in the Men's and Women's pursuit, sorry results have yet to be posted around here. The big story was Australia‚s Lucy Tyler-Sharman who pulled both feet at the start of her pursuit. Althought she only lost 1 second on the opening lap to Sara Ulmer of New Zealand she was obviously shaken, ultimately losing the race in a time that will keep her out of the medals. The final will be run tomorrow night between Sara Ulmer and 18 year old Australian sensation Alayna Burns who defeated Yvonne McGregor of England in the other semi-final heat.

Canada's two entries in the 20km Scratch were Paul Henderson and Brian Walton. The action started right away with Paul getting onto the race‚s first break. The 33 rider pack came back together, then a 12 rider break formed with 45 laps to go. The break had representation by alll the strong teams (each team could enter 3 riders). After gaining about 1/2 a lap the group started to splinter under the pressure of some stong attacks. Eventually 4 riders, including Brian Walton, went clear and gained a lap just as the 8 remaining riders from the break were caught by the bunch. The pack stayed together until 6 laps to go when all the non-lapped riders sprinted for places 5 and back. Paul Henderson ended up in 11 th spot. As these riders cleared the track the 4 remaining riders began to jockey for position. A few surges by Walton and Shaun Wallace of England proved that the rest behind the sprinting pack had given all time to recoup and a sprint was inevitable. The riders in the group of 4 were Walton, Wallace, an Aussie and a New Zealander (sorry missed the names in a rush to get out of the heat after the race, it must have been 40 degrees on the track today - the other riders were: Michael Rogers (Australia) and Timothy Carswell (New Zealand) - ed.). The 4 jockeyed for a few laps until Wallace began the sprint. Brian, who had been on Wallace's wheel, got squeezed out by the Aussie who went on to win a close sprint ahead of Wallace. Brian finished 4th behind the New Zealand rider.

Canadians Tanya Dubnicoff, Lori-Ann Muenzer and Doug Baron will be back in action tomorrow morning as the sprint competition resumes.

Good luck to all the Canadian Junior and Espoirs in tommorrows World MTB Championships!!


Tour of the Netherlands

Stage 3 - Neerijnen to Neerijnen, 115 km

1. Jorunn Kvalo (Nor) Norway 2:52:26
2. Debby Mansveld (Ned) Dutch National Team at 0:08
3. Petra Rossner (Ger) Tempo Soest
4. Heidi van de Vijver (Bel) Belgium
5. Martine Bras (Ned) Greenery A
6. Deirdre Demet (USA)
7. Aud Kari Berg (Nor) Norway
8. Leontien van Moorsel (Ned) Opstalan
9. Elsbeth Vink (Ned) Opstalan
10. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) all s.t.

43. Leigh Hobson (Can) Canada 6:32
47. Heather Cole (Can)
48. Kathleen Millar (Can)
56. Sandy Espeseth (Can) Canada all s.t.
86. Stacey Spencer (Can) Canada 15:16


Worlds Coverage

Hopefully you will have noticed that our World Championships coverage has begun. Click on the blinking link at the top of the frame to go to complete results and news for Day One of our coverage. Tomoorow we will be bring you live, lap-by-lap reporting and photos from the Junior and Espoir races, starting at about 9:00 am EDT.