Canada earns gold and silver medals at junior track worlds in Switzerland

Two Edmontonians will return home with medals from junior track worlds in Aigle, Switzerland. Stefan Ritter won a gold medal by winning the men’s 1000 metre time trial and Devaney Collier earned a silver medal with a second place performance in the women’s scratch race on Friday, July 22.

On Thursday, June 21, Ritter narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s keirin with a four place performance. In the men’s 1000 metre time trial he was the 21st starter setting a best time of one minute and 1.673 seconds with an average speed of 58.372 kilometers per hour setting a new Canadian junior record only 0.297 off of the world record. Bradley Knipe of New Zealand was second with Junggyu Na of Korea in third.

RT @jtolkamp: Junior World Championship Kilo ride by @CyclingCanada 's @Stefanritter7. 1:01.67! #Aigle2016 pic.twitter.com/mtshdizJBG

— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) July 23, 2016

“This is pretty unbelievable,” said Ritter. “I knew I was going pretty good…but I didn’t think I would be that fast. It was very nerve-wracking but to be honest, I felt pretty confident about my ride. There were a few close calls because there are some great riders out there. I haven’t done a lot of international racing so I don’t really know them. I knew I had the speed and I felt good but I didn’t think I was that fast. I still can’t believe it.”

RT @IanMelvin78: @devaney_collier you little legend! #Aigle2016 @CanTrackCycling @CyclingCanada pic.twitter.com/hlsU2RHrQq

— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) July 22, 2016

In the women’s scratch race, Collier set off in pursuit of attacker Rebecca Raybould of Great Britain with four laps to go. Raybould would narrowly hold on for the win with Collier crossing the line in second. Kristina Clonan of Australia won the bunch sprint for bronze.

“It’s really cool, and maybe slightly unexpected,” said Collier, “but it just worked out really well. I think all the training really paid off. It [the world championships] was number one on the list of goals this year. I was really happy just to get selected, and to get a good result was icing on the cake. I know Scratch Races can go any way, so I was planning to go as hard as I could and hope to get in a break.”

Junior track worlds wrap up on Sunday, July 24.