March 24, 2011 (Apeldoorn, the Netherlands) – Day two at the Track World Championships in Holland was highly anticipated by Canadian track cycling fans as the women’s team pursuit team featuring Laura Brown, Clara Hughes, and Tara Whitten hit the boards and took on the world where they delivered a solid effort.

Hughes was recently named to the squad and the Canadian women raced to a very respectable 6th place finish, echoing last year’s result, 3.8 seconds down on the winning time of 3:23.4 posted by the strong team from Great Britain – Laura Trott, Wendy Houvenaghel, and Danielle King.

Sarah Hammer, Dotsie Bausch, and Jennie Reed were unable to match the Brits picking up silver for the USA, while New Zealand’s Kaytee Boyd, Jaime Nielsen, and Alison Shanks rounded out the podium besting Australia for the bronze.

“Each team member gave everything they had today, and we had really good communication during the race, which was very positive,” said Tara Whitten after the race in a CCA release. “I think there is a feeling among all four of us here for the team pursuit that this is just the beginning. We have come a long way from last year, and although it doesn’t necessarily show in our final placing yet, I think we are now on the verge of a huge breakthrough!”

After a hesitant start the team started found their rhythm and posted the fourth fastest time in the third kilometre. Brown of Vancouver, BC was thrilled with the performance of the team in their first race.

“I would have to say the most positive experience of the trip was the support staff and coaches. They were all so UNBELIEVABLE on this trip. I had complete trust in all those surrounding me so that all I had to do today was get on my bike and ride as hard as I possibly could,” said Brown. “It was the first time Tara, Myself, and Clara have raced before I think what we accomplished today is a good place to start.”

Winning the title in the women’s team sprint today were Australians Anna Mears and Kaarle McCulloch, taking the gold over Victoria Pendleton and Jessica Varnish of Great Britain. Shuang Guo and Jinjie Gong of China defeated France to take home the bronze medal.

Australia asserted their dominance again in the men’s individual pursuit, with Jack Bobridge claiming the title in a time of 4:21.1 and Michael Hepburn snagging the bronze medal in 4:22.5. New Zealand’s Jesse Sergent qualified for the final race for the gold, making his time of 4:23.8 good enough for silver.

The men’s Sprint saw Michael D’Almeida (France), Shane Perkins (Australia), Scott Sunderland (Australia), and Robert Forstmann (Germany) take 5th through 8th respectively. Mickael Bourgain (France), Sir Chris Hoy (Great Britain), Jason Kenny (Great Britain), and Gregory Bauge (France) will race for the title tomorrow.

Results and more photos here.