U.S. falls short of advancing Saturday
 A lingering back injury didn't help Massie in the sprint qualifier (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
Carson, Calif. (March 26, 2005) – Day three of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships got underway this morning with the qualifying rounds for the women’s individual pursuit and the men’s sprint in which U.S. riders Erin Mirabella (La Habra, Calif.)) and Giddeon Massie (Colorado Springs, Colo.) were both unsuccessful in moving on in their respective events.
Mirabella placed ninth in the individual pursuit qualifying round. She posted a time of 3:49.157, but it wasn’t fast enough to take her into tonight’s medal rounds. “I could definitely feel last night in my legs a little bit,” she explained referring to her points race competition. “Since I was a little disappointed in yesterday’s race, sleep was a little difficult last night.”
Aussies Katie Mactier and Katherine Bates posted the fastest times over the three kilometers in 3:38.325 and 3:41.676. Karin Thürig (SUI) and Elena Tchalykh (RUS) will contest the bronze medal race this evening.
Massie also failed to advance to the finals in today’s sprint qualifying round. Clocking a time of 10.919 seconds only put the 2004 Pan American Champion in 21st place and only the fastest 16 riders will ride in the evening session’s first round. “I just wasn’t able to put it together during the ride,” Massie commented afterwards. “I knew what I had coming in. I had a little bit of trouble with my back a few weeks before which may or may not have affected me.”
 Mirabella's string of luck continued failing to move past the first round of the pursuit (photo: Casey B. Gibson) |
With a 10.192, Theo Bos (NED) posted the fastest time over the 200 meters and will come into the next round of the sprint hoping to build upon the gold medal success he had in last night’s kilometer time trial.
The evening session will see American Jame Carney contest the scratch race final. The Durango, Colo. resident opened the world cup season in Moscow with a scratch race win. He will face strong challengers this evening in defending World Champion Greg Henderson (NZL) as well as Alex Rasmussen (NED), Wim Stroetinga (NED), and Jerome Neuville (FRA).
For complete event reports following the competition, visit www.usacycling.org.
For complete information on the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.usacycling.org.
A copy of the 2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships media guide is available here.
For a photo gallery of images from the week’s competition, click here.
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 Communications, 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 Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
This Article Published March 26, 2005 For more information contact:
