March 23, 2011 (Apeldoorn, NED) – The 2011 UCI Track World Championships kicked off today in Apeldoorn, Holland, and the Canada’s men team sprint cyclists learned valuable lessons competing in their first international competition. The men’s team sprints squad, comprised of Hugo Barrette (21, Îles-de-la-Madelaine, QC), Thomas Hums (19, Sudbury, ON) and Scott Mulder (18, Vancouver, BC) finished 18th amongst the top cycling nations in the world. The team raced today for the first time together, and will use this experience as a building block for their careers.

“Considering that this is the first time we’ve actually race together, this was an OK race. We’ve definitely gained some experience and for sure there are areas of improvements that we will start working on in the very near future,” said Scott Mulder, 18.

Hugo Barrette, who was called up shortly before the event started, was thrilled to race for Canada. “I am very happy to have had this opportunity. I came to the team very close to the event, and appreciate the opportunity. I am very motivated to continue and train more in order to progress within the sport.”

Mulder, a two-time track cycling Canadian junior champion in 2010, will be racing in the men’s sprint events tomorrow. Mulder made his international debut at the 2011 UCI World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain, this past February. Mulder competed in the team sprint alongside Travis Smith and Joseph Veloce, finishing in 17th position.

The French team won the gold medal in the men’s team sprints, beating the Germans in the gold medal duel. The strong British team placed third.

In the men’s team pursuit, Australia successfully defended their title with no surprise, defeating the Russians in the gold medal duel. Great Britain, the Olympic champions, took their second bronze of the day. Canada did not have a team participating in the discipline.

Belarus rider Olga Panarina won the 500m time trial race. Bulgarian cyclist Tatsiania Sharakova won the Women’s Points race, a discipline in which Canadian Tara Whitten took the World Champion title in 2010. Ho Ting Kwok of Hong Kong was crowned world champion in the men’s scratch. No Canadians participated in these events as well.

The 2011 UCI Track World Championships continue tomorrow with the presentation of the women’s team pursuit, where Canada will battle for a spot on the podium.

Full results HERE here.