May 24/07 11:38 am - Bronze Medal for Men's Team Sprint Team at Pan Am Champs

Posted by Editoress on 05/24/07
 

Pan-American Championships Venezuela
Courtesy Sportcom & CCA

Day 4

Canada won the bronze medal in the men's team sprint race on Thursday to conclude the track events at the Pan American cycling championships in Valencia, Venezuela. The Canadian racers were Yannick Morin and Lawrence Leroux of Quebec and Cam McKinnon of Alberta.

In the bronze medal race, Canada defeated Venezuela clocking one minute and 02.74 seconds. The Venezuelans were faster than the Canadians earlier in qualifying.

Kris Westwood, high performance program director for the Canadian Cycling Association, said the medal should lift team spirits after a series of fourth place finishes this week.

"It's a relief to win a medal in the final track event of the competition," he said. "The guys showed they could deliver under pressure. They were half a second faster than in qualifying and had a great race. It's a nice result that can help us towards an Olympic qualifying berth, if we continue to perform."

Also on Thursday, McKinnon lost to an American in the bronze medal race in the individual sprint. In the Madison race, Martin Gilbert of Quebec and Ryan McKenzie of Alberta were fifth.

Other men's results this week: Zach Bell was fourth in the points race and Gilbert was fourth in the scratch race.

On the women's side, Monique Sullivan was fifth in the sprint while Gina Grain was sixth in both the points race and scratch race.

"That was a very promising performance for Monique," said Westwood. "She is only 18 and still a junior. She's here to gain experience and she capitalized on her opportunity."

Competition continues through to Sunday with the road events.