March 24, 2009 (Pruskow, Poland) — The fastest riders on fixed gears have already descended on Pruskow, Poland for the 2009 Track World Championships from March 25-29. After a winter long World Cup campaign all that is left is the final battle for rainbow jerseys.

The year after an Olympics always presents a chance for new riders to ascend to the top of the sport and challenge the Old Guard, and this year’s championships seems poised to do just that. Sir Chris Hoy is sitting out the sprinting events with a painful hip injury; Pursuit ace Brad Wiggins is pursuing goals on the road; and perennial Points race star Llaneras of Spain has retired.

In their stead comes a host of young riders, with American Taylor Phinney leading the charge. His time of 4:15 in the 4km pursuit is one of the fastest times ever. Only Chris Boardman, Brad McGee and Brad Wiggins have gone as fast or faster. The prodigal leader of Lance Armstrong’s own talent farm has his eyes set firmly on winning a world title before he turns twenty. Cameron Meyer of Australia is another top rider, and though we’ve been hearing his name for a few years already he is still just a youngster looking to add a senior world title to his junior jerseys. It speaks to the youth present at this World Championships that Aussie team pursuiter Glenn O’Shea will miss the Championships coming down with illness upon arrival – he has the chicken pox.

Canada is represented at the 2009 Track Championships by Monique Sullivan, who has continued to improve in the spring disciplines this season. Tara Whitten joins her on the women’s side having enjoyed at season filled with World Cup podiums, and is among the chief contenders to fill the top podium spot left absent by Rebecca Romero (Great Britain).

The veterans of the team are Beijing Olympian Zach Bell, coming off a banner winter filled with success on the World Cup, and Travis Smith who continues to battle back from a devastating hip injury two years ago. Smith has shown signs that his old form has returned and will be looking to match his top-5 finish of a few years back.

Stay tuned for more coverage at pedalmag.com.