April 12/11 23:36 pm - Junior Pan Am Track Championships: Day 1 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 04/12/11
 

Day One reports from the Pan Am Track Championships in Mar del Plata, Argentina


Report provided by Rob Good

The Canadian Team, went into the Points Race with high motivation; we knew Mexico, Chile and the host Argentina teams would be very strong.  Emile Jean (Quebec) was the first to attack and take a couple of riders with him, although Emile did not score any points it set up Alex Cataford to gain a couple of early points in the 25 kilometre race.

The pace of the race was constantly high, with riders being dropped from the 20 lap mark.  The Canadian duo were part of three separate attacks in the mid part of the race, however, they were brought back to the field.  On the last surge, while our guys rested, the decisive break went up the road and that sealed the fate of Jean and Cataford.  With both riders entered in the Individual Pursuit on Wednesday morning, and no chance to get back on even terms with seven teams that were up a lap, the two Canadians retired from the event.

Audrey Labrie (Quebec) was next to the line in the women's 500 metre time trial. Audrey had a difficult time getting out of the gate and managed to recover to finish in eighth position, just behind the two riders from Mexico.  Audrey is now preparing for the two team events on Wednesday.

Canada's first medal came from Allison Beveridge, who was up against a very strong young woman from Mexico.  Early in the 2000 metre event the two women were within metres of one another.  In the last 500 metres Allison was not able to keep pace and had to settle for a very hard fought silver medal.  The was the first of eight events for the Calgary rider.  In the qualifying round Nina Nesdoly (Ontario) just finished outside of the medal round for a very solid fifth place.

The Team Sprint squad was up against a stout team from Equator, and in the bronze medal match the Canadian team was just edged at the line.  A fine performance by the entire team.

On Wednesday nine of the ten riders will be competing.  It will be the busiest day of the week.  The Canadian team has plans to reach the finals in all the events.  The events start early at 9:00 am with Jean and Cataford in the Individual Pursuit.  Aidan Caves and Kyle Buckosky making their debt in the men's Scratch Race.


The following is the race report from Team Sprint athlete Kris Ovsenek:

Today was the first day of racing and it was full of excitement. After waking up and driving to the velodrome, it was time to prepare for the races. The day began with my most important event, the Men's Team Sprint. The sprint team consisted of Daniel Mckenzie-Picot, Jesse Marans, and myself. The team was third to the line, and was able to slip into fourth position, making them eligible for the bronze medal round in the afternoon. In the Women's Individual Pursuit Allison Beveridge also qualified for the finals, in the gold medal round. Nina Nesdoly came fifth in the Individual Pursuit, setting a personal best. Audrey's first race of the week, the 500 metre, was not what she had hoped for. She is looking forward to the Women's Team Pursuit and Team Sprint tomorrow.

Racing continued in the afternoon with the Men's Points Race, where Emile Jean and Alex Cataford started out strong. They were unable to join into a key break, and so decided to pull out so that they could conserve their energy for the Men's Individual Pursuit tomorrow. Next up, Allison Beveridge competed for the gold medal against Mexican rider Ingrid Drexel. The two fought strong, and Allison won the silver medal. Then, we were back up for the Team Sprint, and decided to change the order of riders in an attempt to achieve a better time. The team ended the day in fourth place.

Tomorrow the riders will compete in the Men's Individual Pursuit, Men's Keirin, Men's Scratch Race, Women's Team Pursuit and Team Sprint.

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