May 25, 2004 (Melbourne, Australia) – Colby Pearce has qualified for the final of the men’s points race placing ninth in the first qualifying heat with five points. Out of the 13 riders that contested the first qualifying heat, the top 12 advanced to the finals.

Pearce found himself in a move of three riders along with 2003 World Champion Franz Stocher (AUT) and Makoto IIjima (JPN) midway through the 20K race. While the move stayed clear for two sprints, Pearce racked up five points easily securing a spot in the finals.

Riders rode relatively conservatively after Wong Kam Po (HKG) was lapped by the field early on after contesting the first sprint. With only one rider from the heat not advancing to the finals, Kam Po’s early deficit all but assured the remaining twelve riders would advance to tonight’s final.

“It was a little bit of a different race,” Pearce explained afterwards. “Guys were a little nervous because they’re not used to having to qualify at a World Championships. Everybody was sort of just looking around waiting for that one breakaway that would make the difference. Nobody wanted to not qualify, so people were both looking at getting in a breakaway and contesting the sprints. It took me a few tries, but eventually I got away with a couple of guys and once Kam Po was lapped, it was pretty easy as we just had to eliminate one guy.”

Typically a field of 20 riders contest only a final at the World Championships, but with 27 riders entered, officials decided to run two qualifying heats, advancing the top 12 riders from each heat to tonight’s final.

“It was actually fine,” said Pearce. “It gave me a chance to open up and loosen up the legs a bit, so I didn’t mind the extra race.”

Tonight’s final is scheduled as the second event after team sprint qualifying commences at 7:15 p.m.