May 26, 2004 (Melbourne, Australia) – Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) claimed the first medal for the U.S. at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Wednesday (May 26) evening taking bronze in the women’s keirin. After winning her first round heat in the morning session, Reed placed third behind world champion, Clara Sanchez (FRA) and silver medalist, Elisa Frisoni (ITA) in the finals.

“I’m pretty happy with a bronze medal,” Reed said afterwards. “Tactically, the keirin is such an unpredictable race and I gave it everything I had so I’m quite happy.”

In the only other activity for the U.S. team this evening, Christian Stahl (Bethany, Conn.) placed 18th in the men’s kilometer time trial with a time of 1:05.452. Chris Hoy (GBR) edged world record holder, Arnaud Tournant (FRA), for the world title with a winning time of 1:01.599. Theo Bos (NED) took the bronze medal.

Stahl was a member of the team sprint squad that placed 11th in yesterday’s team time trial and his performance today likely means that the U.S. will not be granted a start position in the men’s kilometer time trial at the Olympic Games.

Reed’s bronze medal performance has no Olympic implications as the women’s keirin is not an Olympic discipline event.

The 2004 UCI Track Cycling World Championships resume on Friday as Reed and Tanya Lindenmuth (Trexlertown, Pa.) will participate in the women’s sprint and Andy Lakatosh (Trexlertown, Pa.) and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will contest the first round of the men’s keirin. Jame Carney (Boulder, Colo.) will also ride the men’s scratch race in the evening session.