March 24, 2010 (Copenhagen, Denmark) – Racing began today at the 2010 World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen at the Ballerup Super Arena. Canadians competed in all the events on the schedule with Tara Whitten up first in the individual pursuit. Looking to improve on last year’s Worlds time, as well as her 3:41 set in the World Cup on the same track last season, she did just that with a final time of 3:38.315. Starting in the last pair with Kiwi Alison Shanks, Tara had the third fastest time splits through the first third of the race then lost some time to the competition to finish 9th. Disappointed with her result, she is looking forward to today’s team pursuit with teammates Laura Brown and Steph Roorda, with Julia Bradley on reserve.

Monique Sullivan began her competition in the 500 meter final. Calm and collected, she looked focused and ready before her bike was hooked up to the start gate. Her confidence was still apparent as the timing clock beeped her down and she powered out of the gate. Posting a personal best time and one of the fastest in the first third of the competition, she finished 14th in a time 35.334. Anna Mears of Australia nearly missed the World Record in a winning time of 33.381.

The Men’s Team Sprint riders arrived early to the track to begin their warm-up and final preparations. The team of Joseph Veloce, Travis Smith, and Stephane Cossette were paired with China in the 4th of 8 heats. The team has been training together in LA since January and rode a technically sound race with a final time of 45.523. Although they wanted a faster time and to place higher than their 11th place, the team, with 2 riders completing their first international season at the Elite level, are taking away valuable experience that they will build on for the next season.

Zach Bell was the final Canadian to compete on the first day of competition. His gold medal win in Beijing at the last World Cup proved that he could be one of the leaders and was aiming for the top of the results list. Fresh off the Tour of Malaysia and battling a cold, he was almost on anti-biotics a week ago, but felt prepared and ready for the race. Zach found the pace to be comfortable in the beginning of the race and would take short turns at the front. He tested his legs on the first few sprints and felt strong, then on the 4th sprint lap he gunned to the front and powered over a German rider to take first place points and launch him in to a three way tie for second place. He remained in that position for the next sprint before being caught behind a crash and losing momentum. Riding with a New Zealander, he attempted to bridge a gap, but when the Kiwi dropped out Zach was left on his own and the gap was just too large to close on his own. He called it a day early and is now focused on today’s Scratch Race.

Canadians will compete in three events on day two of the competition. Travis Smith who has been improving each time he races the Keirin, will kick things off for the team. Tara Whitten, Laura Brown, and Steph Roorda, who have set a new Canadian Record every time they have raced will compete in the team pursuit, and Zach Bell will look to redeem himself in the Scratch race where he won gold in the last World Cup.