March 16, 2006 – Canada’s Zach Bell (23, Whitehorse, YT) had a 9th place finish in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit and was followed by fellow National Team member Svein Tuft (White Rock, B.C.) in 11th.

Bell’s 4:31.831 4000m individual pursuit time breaks the 12-year-old Canadian record set by Brian Walton (BC) in Palermo, Italy, on August 15, 1994. Bell hoped to achieve a new personal-best time, after coming within two seconds of the Canadian record 10 days ago in the Sydney track World Cup. “I’ve been focusing on the pursuit lately in light of my recent results,” he said. Bell has only been racing for four years but his experience has paid off in Melbourne.

In the Men’s Kilo time trial, Cam MacKinnon (21, Calgary AB), set a personal best time with 1:05.374. The Canadian record of 1:03.110 was set by Curt Harnett in Colorado Springs on July 4, 1985. Yannik Morin (30, Otterburn Park, QC) placed 8th with 1:07.621. Both MacKinnon and Morin used the kilometre as a warm-up for the team sprint on March 19, and they also expect top-10 finishes and new personal-best times on the fast Melbourne track.

“Today’s performances were very encouraging for Canadian track cycling. We have young riders performing at an exceptionally high level early in their career and I think the potential for improvement is great”, says Kris Westwood, CCA High Performance Director.

It was a day of firsts for Canada’s cyclists at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games: on the first day of the Games, three first-time Games participants were the first to wear the new Canadian team jersey design in competition, and a Canadian record was beaten for the first time in 12 years.

Latest news about Lyne Bessette: Lyne crashed during training on the mountain bike course yesterday and suffered a dislocated shoulder. She is back in the village and resting now.

According to Westwood, “so far Lyne has not withdrawn from any race, but we will take it day-by-day to see how she does. It appears that she should be able to race at the time trial on March 21. She still has 10 days to recover before the road race (March 26). Lyne is in the best spirits than can be expected, given the circumstances.”

On the mountain bike side, Geoff Kabush and Kiara Bisaro come in looking strong following a lengthy stay in New Zealand. Seamus McGrath arrived yesterday and he looks fit. A number of the road riders who arrived yesterday are feeling quite positive and looking forward to the Games,” added Sean O’Donnell, CCA High Performance Manager.

Track Results — Day 1

Men’s Individual Pursuit
1. Paul Manning (England) 4:21.801
2. Rob Hayles (England) 4:21.837
3. Jason Allen (New Zealand) 4:22.941
9. Zack Bell (Canada) 4:31.831
11. Svein Tuft (Canada) 4:36.390

Women’s 500m Time Trial
1. Anna Meares (Australia) 34.326 (Games Record)
2. Victoria Pendleton (England) 34.662
3. Kerrie Meares (Australia) 35.210

Men’s Kilometer Time Trial
1. Ben Kersten (Australia) 1:01.815
2. Jason Queally (England) 1:01.849
3. Chris Hoy (Scotland) 1:02.071
6. Cam MacKinnon (Canada) 1:05.374
8. Yannik Morin (Canada) 1:07.621