Canadian women’s team pursuit squad qualifies third in opening day of Guadalajara track World Cup

Rob Sturney November 7, 2014

The formidible Canadian women’s team pursuit squad, winners of the World Cup in the track discipline last season, qualified third in Friday’s first day of the UCI World Cup opening round in Guadalajara, Mexico. Canada has sent a large team to Guadalajara and had entries in Friday’s men and women’s team pursuit and men and women’s team sprint.

First World Cup for @CyclingCanada with full squad of both women’s & men’s team pursuit & team sprint! #TrackWorldCup #canuckUP

— Jasmin Glaesser (@JasminGlaesser) November 7, 2014

Allison Beveridge, Stephanie Roorda, Kristi Lay and 2012 London Olympic Games bronze medal winner Jasmin Glaesser rolled the 4000 metres team pursuit in 4:27.2, while Great Britain qualified with the fastest time of 4:20. New Zealand set a time of 4:26. Kristi Lay is the new addition to the team that won the World Cup and took silver in the Cali, Colombia world championships last season.

The men’s team pursuit quartet of Aidan Caves, Eric Johnson, Sean Mackinnon and Remi Pelletier-Roy had a rough ride, placing 16th in qualifying.

Kate O’Brien and Monique O’Sullivan, the latter of whom was part of the London Olympic Games contingent and came sixth in the London keirin, had the 14th fastest time in the team pursuit with 35.5 seconds. The Germans were the top qualifiers with 32.4.

The men’s team sprint trio of Hugo Barrette, Carey Evans and Joseph Veloce have yet to qualify.

The Guadalajara World Cup continues Saturday with men and women’s sprint, keirin and omnium events.