CANADA’S WOMEN TEAM PURSUIT TAKES SILVER AT OPENING WORLD CUP
Canada extends streak of podium performances at World Cup competition to six
(Ottawa, ON – November 08, 2014) Canada’s women’s team pursuit squad earned the silver medal as the 2015 UCI Track World Cup season kicked off in Guadalajara, Mexico on Friday.
In the qualifying round on Friday, the women’s team comprised of Jasmin Glaesser, Stephanie Roorda, Allison Beveridge and Kirsti Lay posted the third fastest time (4:27.214), setting up a semi-final dual against the powerful New Zealand squad.
Winning the semi-final by almost a full two seconds, the Canadian went on to face the world’s best women’s team pursuit squad, Great Britain. In the gold medal dual, Canada put up a great fight but lost the gold medal dual to win the silver medal ultimately.
Since winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games on home soil, the British ladies remain undefeated at both the World Cup and World Championships. They won the event at the last four UCI World Championships (2011-12-13-14) and have been undefeated in each of the last six World Cup race in which they participated. Furthermore, Great Britain has never finished off the podium in any of the 11 UCI World Cup race since the discipline was introduced into the World Cup program.
The Canadian women’s team pursuit squad ended the 2013-14 season at the top of the UCI World Cup standings with two silver and one gold medals, and is determined to continue its streak of six consecutive podium performances at World Cup. At the last three World Championships, the Canadians won one silver medal and two bronze medals.
Since winning the bronze medal at the Olympic Games, Canada has been on the podium in each World Cup or World Championships race in which they entered, winning two gold and two silver medals in four World Cup races.
Hugo Barrette finished in eighth place of the men’s keirin event. After a disappointing first round, Barrette was relegated to the repêchage round, which he won to qualify for the semi-finals. Finishing fourth of the semi-final race, Barrette went on to race the small final, to determine the 7-12 positions.
Making a comeback after a short pause off the bike following the 2012 Olympic Games, Monique Sullivan sprinted to the 17th position in the women’s sprint. Yesterday, she took part in the women’s team sprint qualifying and finished in 14th place.
On Friday, The men’s team pursuit team made its debut at World Cup competition since the program was re-launched. The men’s team comprised of Rémi Pelletier-Roy, Aidan Caves, Eric Johnstone and Sean McKinnon posted the 14th fastest time of 4:05.503, a new Canadian record. Only the Top 8 advanced.
