Canada takes team pursuit gold in Apeldoorn

For the second consecutive week, the Canadian men’s team pursuit outfit has earned a medal at a UCI track cycling World Cup event, and this time it’s the tastiest metal. On Saturday in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Canada parlayed its fastest first round time into a gold medal in a thrilling contest against Belgium.

First up was France versus Poland for the bronze. France, the team that Canada split match-ups with yesterday, prevailed even though the Poles had the faster start.

In the gold medal match Belgium led Aiden Caves, Adam Jamieson, Jay Lamoureux and Bayley Simpson by over a second after a kilometre and maintained the gap at the 2-km. Canada clawed the Belgians closer over the final half of the race and ended up winning by four seconds, the time 4:02.144.

Canada now leads Great Britain and France at the top of the World Cup leader board by 100-points.

First GOLD for our men's team pursuit at a World Cup today & current WC overall leaders!???Enjoy wearing those tighty whitey suits, guys! 😉

— Kirsti Lay (@layk88) November 12, 2016

Combined with bronze and gold over consecutive weekends, the men’s team has now joined Canada’s women’s team as reliable contenders in the team pursuit discipline. For the last six years, the women’s squad has consistently won medals in the Olympic Games, World Cups and World Championships. All the women trackies have been rested for the first two events on the season.

Jamieson, eleventh last week in the points race, was seventh on Saturday and holds seventh spot in the World Cup.

Sunday sees Aiden Caves contest the omnium.