November 8, 2008 (Calgary, AB) – Calgary’s Monique Sullivan, an Olympic Oval cycling program track cyclist, competed in her second career World Cup competition in Manchester, U.K., posting her best-ever results with a sixth place finish in the Keirin event and 11th overall in the sprint.

“I did not specifically prepare for the Keirin, but the style of racing plays to my strengths,” said Sullivan after returning from the Track World Cup, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2008. “My goal was to make the minor final, but in the semi finals I knew I could make it to the A Final if I had the perfect race. When I realized I had made it, I was so excited!”

Sullivan, 19, who is coached by Olympian and National BMX Coach Tanya Dubnicoff at the Olympic Oval, competed in her second UCI Track Cycling World Cup. This is her first competitive season in the Elite (senior) category.

In the sprint event, the Calgary cyclist made it to the 1/8 finals and lost her heat to Germany’s Miriam Welte, moving her to the ¼ B Finals. She won her first ride, and was awarded the B Final for third, by default, as her competitor did not present herself.

“I had no idea what would happen at this World Cup. My goal was to qualify with a time of 11.6 seconds and I did that. When I went on to the match sprinting my inexperience showed, but I raced aggressively and did everything I knew. It was very motivating but I know it is going to take time to master the skill and strategy to be a world class sprinter.”

Sullivan and Tara Whitten were the two Canadian women in the competition.

“The goal going into this competition for Monique was to place in the top seven through 12, so making the finals was pretty impressive,” said Dubnicoff. “She hasn’t been in a velodrome for quite some time, except for a training camp in Los Angeles, which also makes her results here outstanding.”

Sullivan’s next competition is the UCI Track World Cup in Cali, Columbia, Dec. 11–13, 2008. She will be training in Calgary until she leaves with Dubnicoff on Dec. 8.

www.canadian-cycling.com