September 7, 2007 (Dieppe, NB) – Travis Smith of Calgary won the men’s sprint gold on Friday completing an undefeated performance with a victory over Felix Haspel of Alberta in the final at the 2007 Canadian track cycling championships in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

The victory shows Smith is back in form after a serious accident earlier this season.

“It’s a great results because I’ve come back from an injury I suffered at the world championships in March. I broke my pelvis in the Keirin race,’’ said Smith, who started training a month and half ago at his base in Los Angeles.

“After surgery the doctors said I probably wouldn’t race for a year, if ever. I was determined to prove them wrong so today’s showing is very satisfying. Today I was the fastest but there are some youngsters that are pushing me hard.’’

In the women’s event, Tara Whitten of Edmonton defeated Joanna Wiersma in the final.

Whitten is also a nationally ranked cross country skier. “I started cycling as cross training but now I’ll have to chose between the two sports,’’ said the 27-year-old who is leaning towards focusing on the summer sport. “I’m still training and I’m always learning so it’s always motivating.’’

In the individual pursuit, Quebec’s Lyne Bessette won the gold medal. In the final, she clocked 3:57.573 to beat out Whitten in second at 4:00.735.

For the men, Zach Bell defeated Jamie Sparling, in the final clocking 3:42.420.

“With today’s windy conditions, it’s a good clocking,’’ said Bell, who has also raced on the road this season. “I’m pleased with my fitness over the last few months and I’m on track to peak for the World Cups in November and December.’’

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Results (brief)

Sprint

Women

For 3rd-4th

Race #1
1. Karine Cote 13.307 (54.107 km/h)
2. Heather Logan

Race #2
1. Karine Cote 13.184 (54.612 km/h)
2. Heather Logan

Final

Race #1
1. Tara Whitten 13.154 (54.736 km/h)
2. Joanna Wiersma

Race #2
1. Joanna Wiersma 12.829 (56.123 km/h)
2. Tara Whitten

Race #3
1. Tara Whitten 13.641 (52.782 km/h)
2. Joanna Wiersma

Men

For 3rd-4th

Race #1
1. Joel Regimbald 11.813 (60.950 km/h)
2. Stéphane Cossette

Race #2
1. Joel Regimbald 11.858 (60.719 km/h)
2. Stéphane Cossette

Final

Race #1
1. Travis Smith 11.347 (63.453 km/h)
2. Felix Haspel

Race #2
1. Travis Smith 11.683 (61.628 km/h)
2. Felix Haspel

Pursuit

Women

For 3/4

1. Julia Bradley (Team R.A.C.E.) 4:01.070
2. Laura Brown (Giant Bicycles Canada) 4:07.205

Final

1. Lyne Bessette (Équipe du Québec) 3:57.573
2. Tara Whitten (Team Alberta) 4:00.735

Men

For 3/4

1. Alexandre Cloutier (Équipe du Québec) 4:35.564
2. Charly Vives (Calyon Litespeed)

Final

1. Zach Bell (Symmetrics Cycling) 3:42.420
2. Jamie Sparling (La-Z-Boy Cycling)