May 7, 2008 (Montevideo, Uruguay) – Svein Tuft won a second gold medal at the Pan American Road and Track Championships in Montevideo, Uruguay on Tuesday. Tuft took the gold medal in the men’s Points Race ahead of Daniel Halloway of the United States and Antonio Cabrera of Chile. Team mate Zach Bell was fourth and was an integral part of Tuft’s win.

Canada had two strong contenders in the race and two shots at winning. The field was primarily concerned with Bell who launched several attacks in the early part of the race – winning four of the first eight sprints. Zach made several attempts to get away and lap the field but each move was brought back. He was a marked rider as everyone was extra vigilant when he hit the front of the race.

At the midway point of the race, Zach and Svein were part of an eight man break that took a full lap on the field (worth an automatic 20 points). The move included both Cabrera and Halloway. The race was down to eight serious riders in contention for a medal.

Midway through the race, Svein chased down a move that was attempting to take a second lap on the field. Cabrera and Halloway were in it. The group eventually lapped the field for a second time. This move put Svein into the lead by just one point over Cabrera and Halloway.

Three quarters of the race in, a dangerous move got off the front again. It contained Halloway and three lower ranked riders. The group quickly gained a half lap on the main field – threatening to take a full lap and gain a further 20 points. If the move was successful it would have put Tuft in second place with almost no chance to come back.

Zach, Svein and Cabrera chased hard at the front of the main field without assistance from any other riders. Eventually they were able to bring back Halloway’s breakaway. From the sidelines, it was an agonizingly long chase. Tuft remarked, “We knew we could bring them back in. We weren’t going to let them take the lap.”

The breakaway with Halloway was captured with six laps remaining in the race. Svein was still leading by just one point over Halloway at this point. The final sprint was critical to preserving the win for Tuft. Down the back-straight it was Halloway who made the first acceleration – riding for gold. Tuft stayed calm and powered over top of the sprinters lane drawing even with Halloway’s shoulder midway through turn four. Svein’s momentum carried him through to get second in the final sprint. Halloway finished 5th and did not score points. Gold for Tuft – his second win of the 2008 Pan American Championships!

The victory for Tuft was a team effort. Riding breathless around the apron, Bell’s only concern was that Svein had won. Bell rode hard in support of the Gold Medal. It was great to see these two racing so hard out there.

The competition resumes at 2pm on Wednesday with the Madison. The final day of competition will be Thursday where Zach Bell will represent Canada in the Omnium competition.

Competition at the Pan American Championships will conclude this weekend with the time trial and road race. The courses will be challenging. The coast line is windy and the competition will fierce. Team Canada is up for the challenge.

Results

1. Svein Tuft (Canada) 63 points
2. Daniel Holloway (USA) 59
3. Antonio Cabrera (Chile) 55
4. Zach Bell (Canada) 44
5. Luis Martínez (Uruguay) 38
6. Edwin Avila (Colombia) 33
7. José Fernando Antogna (Argentina) 21
8. Johnny Morales (Guatemala) 21
9. Edgardo Simon (Argentina) 16
10. Augusto Sánchez (Dominican Republic) 15
11. Manuel Rodas (Guatemala) 10
12. Manuel Hernández (Mexico) 8
13. Raúl Granjel (Cuba) 8
14. Milton Wynants (Uruguay) 8
15. Juan Cancino (Chile) 5
16. Cody O’Reilly (USA) 3
17. Omar García (Mexico) 2
18. Danny Morales (Guatemala) 2
19. Manuel Pena (Dominican Republic) 2
21. Jorge Montenegro (Ecuador) 0
22. Jaime Catañeda (Colombia) 0
20. Luis Mansilla (Chile) -12
22. Hersson Jimenez (Costa Rica) -19
23. Andrés Guzmán (Ecuador) -20