Canadian team for track worlds announced

Canada’s 10-rider track squad will be in the running for as many as three medals at the UCI Track World Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands from March 23 to 27.

Zach Bell and Tara Whitten are favourites in the men’s and women’s omnium respectively after they both won World Cup titles, and the women’s team pursuit team is a proven top-5 finisher at the World Cup level.

In fact, the national team is sending four athletes for this two-rider event. Regulars Stephanie Roorda and Laura Brown of Vancouver will be accompanied by multiple Olympic cycling and speed-skating medallist Clara Hughes, and Tara Whitten is another possible starter.

“What’s important to note is that we have yet to allocate any position on the team’s pursuit team,” said national head track coach Richard Wooles in a media release Monday. “We will make the best decision on site, closer to the event, and we will go with whom we think provides us with the best chance to win a medal.”

Canadian selection for track worlds:

• BROWN, Laura (Vancouver, BC) – Women’s Team Pursuit
• HUGHES, Clara (Glen Sutton, QC) – Women’s Team Pursuit
• ROORDA, Stephanie (Vancouver, BC) – Women’s Team Pursuit
• SULLIVAN, Monique (Calgary, AB) – Women’s Sprint
• WHITTEN, Tara (Edmonton, AB) – Omnium; Women’s Team Pursuit
• BARETTE, Hugo (QC) – Men Team Sprint
• BELL, Zachary (Watson Lake, YK/North Vancouver, BC) – Omnium
• HUMS, Thomas (Sudbury, ON) – Men Team Sprint
• MULDER, Scott (Vancouver, BC) – Men Team Sprint; Men’s Sprint

SCHEDULE

• March 23 – Men’s Team Sprints
• March 24 – Women’s Team Pursuit; Men’s Sprints
• March 25 – Men’s Sprints; Women’s Sprints; Men’s Omnium I, II, III
• March 26 – Men’s Omnium IV, V, VI; Women’s Omnium I, II, III; Women’s Sprints
• March 27 – Women’s Omnium IV, V, VI