Canada wrap up strong showing at New Zealand track World Cup
Canada leaves New Zealand with three silver medals as program prepares for world championships in February
The UCI Track World Championships are fast approaching but before the season is capped off in Poland the World Cup circuit had stops in New Zealand and Hong Kong. After a weekend of competition in Cambridge, New Zealand, the Canadian team left with three medals in their best showing of the season. Both team pursuit squads earned bronze medals while Allison Beveridge took silver in the omnium.
In the final day of competition on Sunday, Canada earned two top-10 results. Michael Foley finished ninth in the men’s omnium and Kinley Gibson and Beveridge teamed up for seventh in the women’s Madison.
“The Cambridge World Cup was a strong campaign for Cycling Canada,” said Jono Hailstone, Cycling Canada men’s endurance coach. “The women’s team pursuit put together their fastest ride since the Rio Olympics; the men’s team pursuit broke the Canadian record; and both squads won silver medals and picked up valuable points towards Olympic qualifying.”
Canada’s women’s team pursuit had a bronze medal on the World Cup circuit this season while Canada’s men’s team had picked up a bronze and silver in the earlier rounds of the season.
“Beveridge showed she’s on her way back up to the top, with a strong second place in the women’s omnium,” Hailstone said. “We’re in a strong position leading into the world championships, and this campaign has provided great motivation for our athletes to go all in over the next five weeks and really show what we’re capable of on the world stage.”
Foley’s ninth place came after finish 12th in the scratch race, fifth in the tempo, seventh in the elimination and earning no points in the points race.
The women’s Madison team had a late time shuffle after Steph Roorda broke her collarbone after crashing in training. The team finished on three points finishing seventh.
Larianne Genest was in action finishing 12th in the keirin while Hugo Barrette was eliminated in the round of eight in the men’s sprint. Nick Wammes was eliminated in the round of 16th.
The 2018-2019 UCI Track World Cup concludes in Hong Kong next weekend.
UCI Track World Cup Hong Kong Canadian roster
Sprint
Hugo Barrette – Iles de la Madeleine, Que. [Sprint, Keirin]
Amelia Walsh – Ayr, Ont. [Team Sprint, Sprint (Keirin reserve)]
Kelsey Mitchell – Edmonton [Team Sprint, Sprint, Keirin]
Men’s Endurance
Aidan Caves – Vancouver [Omnium (Reserve: Michael Foley)]
Women’s Endurance
Five NextGen riders will be selected at a later date to compete in the team pursuit, omnium, scratch and Madison.
