March 19, 2006 (Melbourne, Australia) – The track cycling program ended with a bang and a gripping night of racing which saw Mark Cavendish (Isle of Mann) win the 20K scratch race and Scotland win the teams sprint.

Canada set a new national best in the team sprint, with a time of 46.246 to qualify fifth fastest. (Ed. Note: we have yet to confirm this officially)

“The team was really firing tonight,” double Games medallist Travis Smith said after the competition.

Canada’s sprint team with Cam McKinnon, Yannick Morin and Travis Smith were up against England, the eventual silver medal winners, and were just 0.046 from making the bronze medal ride off against Australia.

Scotland however, were in a class of their own and gave their supporters something to cheer about as they picked up their first cycling gold, beating England by just 0.027 in the final with a time of 44.282.

In the scratch race, Cavendish and four other riders, including Canada’s Zach Bell, James McCullum (Scotland), Tim Gudsell (New Zealand) and Ashley Hutchinson (Australia), lapped the field after just 20 laps.

With so many top teams represented, the race became a bit of a procession and it appeared as though a certain amount of collusion between the home nations might be going on.

English and Welsh riders set a steady pace and marked breaks even though they had no riders among the five leaders.

With 10 laps to go, New Zealand’s team showed their face at the front in an attempt to lead out Gudsell for the sprint. However, the inexperienced youngster found himself barged off team mate Hayden Godfey’s wheel by Aussie Ben Kersten and dropped back down the field.

Cavendish meanwhile, was on the wheel of English veteran Rob Hayles who perfectly led the world madison champion into the final lap. Hutchinson tried to come over the top, but was unable to deny Cavendish a fantastic victory and the Isle of Mann’s first gold since 1962.

Canada’s Bell finished in fifth place behind McCullum in for the bronze and Gudsell in fourth, while Bell’s team mate, Martin Gilbert finished in 9th.

Earlier in the night Katie Mactier (Australia) won an all-Australian final against Kate Bates in the 3000m Women’s Individual Pursuit. Setting a new Commonwealth Games record of 3:30.290 in qualifying, the road champion was a step ahead of Bates.

“I believe we have the strongest team here and have plenty of options,” Mactier said of the upcoming women’s road race. “We’re aiming to take gold, silver and bronze.”

An elated Emma Jones took bronze, all the more remarkable as the Englishwoman only recently recovered from a serious hit-and-run accident with a car while out training, and as late as December was still wearing a body-brace.

“It’s a shock to get the bronze,” she said. “It’s actually a bit of a shock to be here at all.”

The Games’ road events begin on Tuesday, March 21 with the time trials, and the road race takes place on Sunday, March 26.

The Canadian track team will now begin preparations for the World Track Championships in Bordeaux next month.

Race Notes

Occasional trackside commentary and interviews were provided by Katie Brown, who was a member of the Australian team that was hit by a car in Germany last year. She may be a champion cyclist, but a TV presenter she is not. Her squeaky Australian “˜ecksint’ was too much for England’s Paul Manning who simply replied, “sorry darling, I can’t understand a word you’re saying,” when asked a question. However, when she found out Canadian sprinter Yannick Morin was a former Mr. Universe contestant, it sent her into high-pitch hysteria. “Flex your muscles for the crowd like in Mr. Universe,” she asked an amused Morin. “Oh go on, we all want to see!” Morin duly obliged to the crowd’s and certainly Ms. Brown’s delight.

Canada’s Gina Grain On her fourth place in the points race: “It was a fantastic race, so fast. I was real happy with how it went.”

On the upcoming road race: “It’s a great course. If it comes down to a sprint finish I think I’ll have a good chance. We haven’t had our team meeting yet so we’re not sure what our tactics will be.”

On Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games: “It’s my first Games experience and it’s awesome. There’s a great atmosphere in the village.”

Canada’s Travis Smith On Melbourne’s track: “It’s a fantastic track, but we’re talking when I’m doing well! We just don’t have tracks of that standard in Canada.”

On the next few weeks: “I live in Los Angeles so I’m flying home for a few weeks then back to France for the World Track Championships.”

Canada’s Yannick Morin On the Team Sprint: “We did our best time tonight and I think I did a personal best for the first lap. I’m real proud of our team.”