Cossette posted an impressive time of 1 minute, 1.882 seconds in the men’s kilometre time trial, an endurance event, and was still sitting in third place with just one competitor left to race.
But Fabian Hernando Puerta of Colombia posted a new Pan American record time of 1:00.349 to win gold, relegating Cossette to fourth.
“Stéphane’s performance is a good reflection of the level of our up-and-coming Canadian sprinters,” said project head coach Vincent Jourdain. “This event isn’t Stéphane’s specialty yet he was a podium contender. It bodes well for the future.”
Also racing Friday was Candice Vermeulen in the women’s scratch race. Vermeulen was well placed in the group racing for silver when she crashed after making contact with one of her competitors, putting her out of contention.
Two big days of competition remain over the weekend, with Canadians racing in the men’s sprint, the men’s and women’s omnium and the women’s points race.
Results (brief)
Men’s Kilo
1. Fabián Hernando Puerta (Colombia) 1:00.349
2. Angel Pulgar (Venezuela) 1:00.630
3. Anderson Parra (Colombia) 1:00.839
4. Stéphane Cossette (Canada) 1:01.882
5. Roberto Serrano (Mexico) 1:02.014
DNS Scott Mulder (Canada)
Women’s Scratch
1. Elizabeth Newell (United States of America)
2. Jannie Milena (Colombia)
3. Yudelmis Domínguez (Cuba)
DNF Candice Vermeulen (Canada)
DNS Kirsti Lay (Canada)