Dec. 10, 2005 – Sarah Hammer (Temecula, Calif.) rode to a silver medal on the second day of the Union Cycliste Internationale Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester, England.

The second-place finish in the women’s individual pursuit marks Hammer’s second medal in so many days at the World Cup. Hammer claimed the gold medal in Friday’s women’s points race.

Earlier in the day she qualified with an impressive time of 3:38.6 among a field that included two of three 2005 World Championship medalists. Hammer rode a time of 3:41.583 in the final, just over a second behind gold-medalist and 2005 World Championship medalist Katherine Bates of Australia.

Michael Blatchford (Veloworx / Cypress, Calif.) qualified 20th in the match sprint with a time of 10.64, but missed the cut by .05 seconds. Kevin Belz (CKR Racing /Irving, Texas) finished 32nd in a time of 10.99.

Competition continues through Sunday. Jennie Reed (Gregg’s Trek/VW Racing / Kirkland, Wash.) will compete in the women’s keirin with Giddeon Massie (Cody / Colorado Springs, Colo.), Blatchford, and Christian Stahl (CKR Racing / Bethany, Conn.) competing in the men’s team sprint on the final day of competition.

Full results from the UCI Track Cycling World Cup can be found at http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/classics2005_manchester/index.htm

Points gained in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup have a major bearing on qualification for the World Championships and Olympic Games. Each round comprises 14 disciplines – eight for men and six for women. More information about UCI World Cup Track Cycling events can be found at http://www.tissottiming.com/sports/cycling/track/classics2005_manchester/index.htm