September 10, 2006 (Dieppe, NB) – The Keirin and Madison races held earlier today brought the 2006 Tim Hortons Track Nationals to a close. It was an Alberta sweep in the Keirin race, in both the men’s and women’s event as Auna Brit Ericksenhave and Cam McKinnon won the titles. The Symmetrics pair of Christian Meier (BC) of Sussex, NB and Cameron Evans (BC) captured the Madison national track title.

After three consecutive days of sunny weather and great track conditions, the event organizers had to overcome rain delays on Sunday morning, but the show was worth waiting for as numerous spectators came out to enjoy the spectacular Keirin and Madison competitions.

Unfortunately, in the final few minutes before the end of the Madison race, the team of Martin Gilbert (QC) and Zach Bell (YK), tied for second, was involved in a bad crash close to the end of the race, but fortunately everyone was ok.

Keirin

Women
1. Auna Brit Ericksenhave (AB)
2. Laura Brown (AB)
3. Laura Yoisten (AB)

Men
1. Cam McKinnon (AB)
2. Travis Smith (AB)
3. Joel Regimbald (AB)

Alberta’s coach, Jayson Gillespie commented, “Overall it was a fantastic championships for Alberta. We had riders on the podium in almost every event, in both the men’s and the women’s fields. Auna Brit was able to win all three power events (Sprint, Kilo and Keirin) and reach the goal of three golds that she’d set for herself. Stephanie Roorda is bringing home a bronze in the sprint. Travis Smith earned the national title in the sprint as well, with Cam McKinnon in second place. Felix Haspel, a road athlete, took a silver medal in the kilo and two fifth spots (Keirin and Sprint) in his first year on the provincial team. Laura Brown made podiums in the Individual Pursuit and Keirin, etc. All in all, it’s been a terrific event for Alberta, now we hope that Zach Bells recovers soon. “

Men’s Madison – 50 kms

1. Symmetrics Team – Christian Meier (BC) born in Sussex, NB and Cameron Evans (BC)
2. Team Alberta — Jamie Sparling and Ryan McKenzie
3. Team Ontario — Adam Thuss and Eric Robertson

New-Brunswick’s Christian Meier from Sussex, who now spends most of his time in Langley, BC, commented, “Our strategy was to take a lap on Martin (Gilbert) and Zach (Bell), and hold it to win. It was the only way to go as we’re good at endurance but we can’t sprint against them.”

Team Kodak Gallery Sierra Nevada of Martin Gilbert (QC) and Zach Bell (YK, racing for Alberta) were in a very good position leading during the whole competition and are very strong sprinters. But they did not finish due to a crash where Bell’s wheel hit Gilbert’s during a relay with nine laps to go. Bell was transferred to the hospital for precautions, but according to the medical staff on site, he should be fine.

Full official results, schedule updates and start lists click here.

Photos available here.