May 22, 2003 – This past weekend the final of four Track World Cups was held in Sydney, Australia at the Dunc Gray Velodrome. Built at a cost of over $41 million for the Sydney Olympic Games it is the size of two football fields and capable of seating up to 6,000 spectators.

The first day of racing began great with young Martin Gilbert from Quebec placing 12th in the Points Race and Lori-Anne Muenzer of Edmonton medalling in the 500m. On the second day of racing, Erin Carter competed in the women's Pursuit qualifier against one of the toughest contingencies of women ever seen at a world cup. She placed sixth; good enough to claim Canada a pursuit spot at the World Championships.

The third and final day was an exciting one for Canada and began with the women's Scratch Race. With the help of Mandy Poitras blocking, Carter attacked and by the half way point of the race, had gained a little more than half a lap. Carter held the lead until the field slowly reeled her in, catching her with only four laps to go. Unfortunately with two laps to go Poitras, who has a great finishing sprint, was caught in a crash and went down hard. With the crash happening so close to the finish she was unable to continue and was taken off the track by medical personnel. Carter ended up in 16th.

The Canadian Madison duo of Alexandre Cloutier and Martin Gilbert had a bit more luck. Riding strongly, they were contenders in one of the fastest Madison races this year averaging over 50km/hr. Finishing second in the last sprint they finished 7th overall which earned them a spot at the World Championships.

Results:

Mens Individual Pursuit
1. Mark Jamieson (Aus)
2. Hayden Godfrey  (NZl)
3. Guido Fulst (Ger)
11. Alexandre Cloutier (Can)

Men's 15Km Scratch Race Final  Result
1. Greg Henderson  (NZl)         
2. Roland Garber (Aut)
3. Andreas Muller (Ger)
13. Martin Gilbert  (Can)

Women's 20Km Points  Race
1. Vera Carrara  (Ita)                 
2. Marion Clignet  (Fra)               
3. Sarah Ulmer  (NZl)               
10. Mandy Poitras (Can)             

Women's Sprint  Final Classification
1. Nancy Contreras (Mex)
2. Victoria  Pendleton (GBr)
3. Lori-Ann Muenzer (Can)

Men's 1 Kilometer Time Trial
1. Shane Kelly  (Aus)            
2. Mathieu Mandard  (Fra)        
3. Wilson  Meneses Gutierriz (Col)  

Women's 500m Time Trial
1. Nancy Contreras  (Mex)                    
2. Yonghua Jiang  (Chn)                      
3. Yvonne Hijgenaar  (Ned)                    
5. Lori-Ann Muenzer (Can)         
           
Men's  4Km Team Pursuit Final Classification
1. New Zealand   
2. Germany       
3.  Australia

Women's 3Km Individual Pursuit Final Classification
1. Sarah Ulmer (NZl)
2. Diana  Ziliute (Ltu)
3. Amy Safe (Aus)
6. Erin Carter (Can)

Men's Sprint Final Classification
1. Rene Wolff (Ger)
2. Mark French (Aus)
3. Ross Edgar (GBr)
26. Steen Madson (CAN)

Men's 30Km Points Race
1. Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus)
2. Volodymyr  Rybin  (Ukr)                     
3. Greg Henderson  (NZl)                      
16. Martin Gilbert (Can)       

Women's Keirin Final 1st
1. Rosealee Hubbard (Aus)
2. Kerrie Meares  (Aus)
3. Christin Muche (Ger)

Women's 10km Scratch Race Final
1. Victoria Pendleton  (GBr)
2. Rochelle Gilmore (Aus)
3. Sarah Ulmer  (NZl)
16. Erin Carter (Can)
DNF Mandy Poitras  (Can)
 
Women's Team Sprint Final Classification
1. Australia
2. Russia
3. Ukraine
 
Men's Team Sprint Final Classification
1. Japan
2. Australia
3. Germany
 
Men's 40km Madison
1. Germany                          
2. Australia                       
3. Netherland          
7. Canada