Canada’s youthful women’s team pursuit squad qualifies third in Minsk
Final UCI track World Cup event begins in Belarus
Friday’s schedule for Day 1 of the final UCI track cycling World Cup in Minsk, Belarus, was stingy but Canada produced a good result in the women’s team pursuit qualifying, posting the third fastest time.
Canada has sent a NextGen program-heavy team to the fifth and last World Cup before the World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, February 28 to March 4.
On Friday, Erin Attwell, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Devaney Collier and Laurie Jussaume stopped the clock at 4:31.761 over four-kilometres. The quartet now faces Italy, the second-fastest qualifier, in Saturday’s first round. The U.S.A. clocked the best time with 4:17.182.
The final Track World Cup in Minsk, Belarus starts tomorrow! We've sent a young and aggressive squad to gain valuable experience! Good luck to @erinattwell @devaney_collier @M_ColesLyster @sara_gio17 @Stefanritter7 and Laurie Jussaume! pic.twitter.com/a0UWJ4yGfQ
— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) January 19, 2018
A couple of hours later Maggie Coles-Lyster had the points competition to contest. Earlier in the season, in the Pruszków, Poland, round, she placed 19th. The 16 women had 20-km to ride, with a sprint every tenth lap. Points were awarded to the first four to cross the line.
After picking up three-points early, Coles-Lyster did not finish.
Along with the women’s team pursuit first round, Saturday sees Collier in the omnium and sole Canadian male in Minsk, Stefan Ritter, contest the keirin.
