February 27, 2014 (Cali, Colombia) – As the 2014 UCI Track World Championships get started today in Cali, Colombia, the Canadian Track Cycling team eagerly awaits the opportunity to end their season on a high note.

Although Canada is not set to race until Thursday, there are reports from the first day of racing that the track is fast – with one track record already set in the first session of racing.

Thursday will boast a full day of racing for Canadians, with the World Cup champion Women’s Team Pursuit Team competing in the qualification round in the afternoon with the goal of reaching the medal finals in the evening.

Defending champions Great Britain, Australia and the USA are all expected to provide stiff competition.

“This season has been special in terms of coming together as a team, and success this year is a testament to that,” says Women’s Team Pursuit athlete Laura Brown. “Tomorrow is about doing what we do best. We are among the best in the world and if we stay focused something special will happen.”

Also on track Thursday afternoon in the Men’s Keirin is Hugo Barrette, who finished fourth at the final World Cup of the season. Barrette will be aiming move through to the final rounds in the evening.

“The team has had a great three-week preparation block in Los Angeles and Cali, and are cautiously optimistic that they will come home with a medal at these Worlds,” says Cycling Canada Track Endurance coach Craig Griffin. “The colour of the medal will depend on how well the plans are executed. Fifty per cent of our team have never competed at Worlds but all are motivated to leave everything on the boards. These are exciting times for Cycling Canada as there is way more to come.”

Full details and program can be found at www.uci.ch.

Women’s Endurance (Team Pursuit, Omnium, Points Race)

Men’s Sprint (Sprint, Keirin)