Three medals dished out on opening night
Carson, Calif. (March 24, 2005)—The 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships at the ADT Event Center in Carson, California, opened with a packed house and the crowning of three world champions. The evening’s events were highlighted by the win of young Volodymyr Rybin (UKR) in the men’s 40km points race, the return of Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR) to the top podium position in the women’s 500 meter time trial, and a British victory in the men’s team sprint.
3. Germany (John Matthias, Stefan Nimke, and René Wolff)
The men’s 40km (160 laps) points race final got off to a slow start, but it didn’t take long for the riders to set sail. Less than 40 laps into the race, four riders were able to get away from the pack and lap the field giving each of them a 20-point bonus. Riders in the breakaway included Guido Fulst (GER), Angelo Ciccone (ITA), Christopher Newton (GBR), and Rybin. Then in another breakaway, three more riders including Alexander Aeschbach (SUI), Yauheni Sobal (BLR), and Rafal Ratajczyk (POL) gained the important lap giving each of them a 20-point boost. With 40 laps remaining it was virtual unknown Rybin in the lead. Then two more riders, including 2000 Olympic points race gold medalist Joan Llaneras (ESP), gained the all-important lap and points.
Coming down to the final laps Rybin began to kick, taking second in three straight sprints and finally taking second in the final sprint securing his lead and first-ever world title. The fast-paced event benefited the top-three, especially silver medalist Loannis Tamouridis (GRE) who needed a brisk pace not being a pure sprinter. In the end it was Rybin winning the world championship with Tamouridis taking second and Llaneras third.
”I’m very happy, but very tired. To be honest I did not expect it. There was very strong competition and I’m very surprised,“ said world champion Rybin.
The first women’s event of the world championships, the 500m TT, saw Tsylinskaya win her third world championship in the event in four years. The penultimate rider off the line, the young sprinter from Belarus lit up the track with a blistering time of 34.738. Silver medalist and defending champion Anna Meares (AUS), was pleased with her finish and time (34.752) having not been specifically training for the event. Meares focus shifted over the winter to other sprint based events.
”I’m really excited that I did so well, I haven’t been training for this event. I knew there would be expectations after the Olympics and my world record. We almost flicked it, but then we figured we’d give it a shot,“ said Meares.
Yvonne Hijgenaar (NED) continued the strong youth movement in the sport taking the 500m TT bronze with a time of 34.928. Her expectations were mild having recently hurt her hamstring, but she was able to use her endurance and second lap speed to make up for her slow start.
The last event of the evening, the men’s team sprint, pitted favorites Great Britain against the Netherlands. In the end it was the British (Chris Hoy, Jason Queally, and Jamie Staff) taking the win with a time of 44.379 over the Dutch (Theo Bos, Teun Mulder, and Tim Veldt 44.713). New riders on each the German and French teams played into the results with John Matthias, Stefan Nimke, and René Wolff of Germany taking the bronze medal over France’s Mickaël Bourgain, Arnaud Tournant, and Grégory Bauge in an extremely close matchup. The Germans won by less than one-tenth of second with a time of 44.790 compared to 44.835.
” It’s great for morale to get that gold medal again,” said Hoy.
Fellow British team sprint rider Staff incurred some mechanical problems with his pedals. He said of the misfortune, “Something’s bound to go wrong. You can’t let it phase you. That didn’t bother me at all.”
Looking ahead, the first morning session of the championships on Friday begins at 10am. Events being held include the women’s 200m sprint qualifying and early rounds, men’s 4km individual pursuit qualifying, and men’s early keirin rounds.
Men’s 40km Points Race Final
1. Volodymyr Rybin (UKR)
2. Ioannis Tamouridis (GRE)
3. Joan Llaneras (ESP)
Women’s 500m TT Final
1. Natalia Tsylinskaya (BLR)
2. Anna Meares (AUS)
3. Yvonne Hijgenaar (NED)
Men’s Team Sprint Final Results
1. Great Britain (Chris Hoy, Jason Queally, and Jamie Staff)
2. Netherlands (Theo Bos, Teun Mulder, and Tim Veldt)
3. Germany (John Matthias, Stefan Nimke, and René Wolff)
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.
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.
This Article Published March 25, 2005 For more information contact:
