Western hemisphere nations ready for success
Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 19, 2005)— Canada, Mexico, and Argentina have high hopes for taking home gold at the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships March 24-27, in Carson, Calif. Their hopes are well warranted with recent Olympic and world championship medal performances by Lori Ann Muenzer (CAN), Belem Guerrero Mendez (MEX) and Juan Esteben Curuchet (ARG).
“Canada, Mexico, and Argentina hold some wild cards and aces in a broad range of events. Their aces are definitely Muenzer, Mendez, and Curuchet,” said Pat McDonough, USA Cycling director of track cycling.
Muenzer became Canada’s first Olympic Gold medalist in track cycling at the 2004 Athens games. The 38-year-old continued her success throughout the winter placing third in the 500 meter time trial and fourth in the sprint at the final world cup event in Sydney just a few weeks ago.
Canadian hopes also lie with Mandy Poitras who placed second in the women’s world championship points race last year. Poitras, always a steady performer, looks to break through and take her first world championship jersey in Los Angeles.
South of the American border, Mexican riders expect to perform well having recently garnered Olympic and world championship success. Their best hope, Mendez, won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the points race. Mexico’s only other competitor slated to compete at the 2005 World Championships is Nancy Contreras. Fortunately for the Mexicans, consistency has been Contreras’ greatest strength, first winning the 500 meter time trial world championship in 2001, then placing second in 2002 and 2003. In 2005 she is prime to return to the top.
The western hemisphere’s least known weapon is Curuchet of Argentina who is the reigning madison world champion and a constant threat in the points race. It is expected that Curuchet, along with countryman Walter Perez, will be favorites to continue their reign in the tag team style event known as the madison at this year’s world championships.
Another rider from the west who looks to perform well and possibly steal glory from better known athletes is Barry Forde of Barbados. Forde has shown strength throughout the 2004/05 world cup season placing fifth in the keirin in Los Angeles and seventh in Moscow. His greatest asset is experience having competed at the elite international level for more than six years. That know-how could result in a medal for Forde in this year’s world championship keirin.
Coming Sunday, a full preview of the U.S. National Team.
For more information on the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships March 24-27, visit the USA Cycling website at www.usacycling.org.
To request a media credential for the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.uci.ch/uci.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 50,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road). For more information visit www.usacycling.org or contact, USA Cycling Director of Communicaitons, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
About Jacob Burns, Inc.
Jacob Burns, Inc., is a design, marketing and public relations firm that specializes in interactive design. The base of the organization is set in three central principles including: simple designs are more effective than complex ones, designs must integrate with the marketing plan and promote continuity, and designs must be easily understood and take into account target demographic capabilities. For more information visit www.jacobburns.com or call 610.730.7349.
“Canada, Mexico, and Argentina hold some wild cards and aces in a broad range of events. Their aces are definitely Muenzer, Mendez, and Curuchet,” said Pat McDonough, USA Cycling director of track cycling.
Muenzer became Canada’s first Olympic Gold medalist in track cycling at the 2004 Athens games. The 38-year-old continued her success throughout the winter placing third in the 500 meter time trial and fourth in the sprint at the final world cup event in Sydney just a few weeks ago.
Canadian hopes also lie with Mandy Poitras who placed second in the women’s world championship points race last year. Poitras, always a steady performer, looks to break through and take her first world championship jersey in Los Angeles.
South of the American border, Mexican riders expect to perform well having recently garnered Olympic and world championship success. Their best hope, Mendez, won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the points race. Mexico’s only other competitor slated to compete at the 2005 World Championships is Nancy Contreras. Fortunately for the Mexicans, consistency has been Contreras’ greatest strength, first winning the 500 meter time trial world championship in 2001, then placing second in 2002 and 2003. In 2005 she is prime to return to the top.
The western hemisphere’s least known weapon is Curuchet of Argentina who is the reigning madison world champion and a constant threat in the points race. It is expected that Curuchet, along with countryman Walter Perez, will be favorites to continue their reign in the tag team style event known as the madison at this year’s world championships.
Another rider from the west who looks to perform well and possibly steal glory from better known athletes is Barry Forde of Barbados. Forde has shown strength throughout the 2004/05 world cup season placing fifth in the keirin in Los Angeles and seventh in Moscow. His greatest asset is experience having competed at the elite international level for more than six years. That know-how could result in a medal for Forde in this year’s world championship keirin.
Coming Sunday, a full preview of the U.S. National Team.
For more information on the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships March 24-27, visit the USA Cycling website at www.usacycling.org.
To request a media credential for the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.uci.ch/uci.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 50,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road). For more information visit www.usacycling.org or contact, USA Cycling Director of Communicaitons, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
About Jacob Burns, Inc.
Jacob Burns, Inc., is a design, marketing and public relations firm that specializes in interactive design. The base of the organization is set in three central principles including: simple designs are more effective than complex ones, designs must integrate with the marketing plan and promote continuity, and designs must be easily understood and take into account target demographic capabilities. For more information visit www.jacobburns.com or call 610.730.7349.
This Article Published March 19, 2005 For more information contact:
