09.07.07 - Track cycling – Canadian championships - Travis Smith wins sprint

September 7, 2007 – Travis Smith of Calgary won the men’s sprint gold on Friday completing an undefeated performance with a victory over Felix Haspel of Alberta in the final at the Canadian track cycling championships in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

The victory shows Smith is back in form after a serious accident earlier this season.

‘’It’s a great results because I’ve come back from an injury I suffered at the world championships in March. I broke my pelvis in the Keirin race,’’ said Smith, who started training a month and half ago at his base in Los Angeles.

‘’After surgery the doctors said I probably wouldn’t race for a year, if ever. I was determined to prove them wrong so today’s showing is very satisfying. Today I was the fastest but there are some youngsters that are pushing me hard.’’

In the women’s event, Tara Whitten of Edmonton defeated Joanna Wiersma in the final.

Whitten is also a nationally ranked cross country skier. ‘’I started cycling as cross training but now I’ll have to chose between the two sports,’’ said the 27-year-old who is leaning towards focusing on the summer sport. ‘’I’m still training and I’m always learning so it’s always motivating.’’

In the individual pursuit, Quebec’s Lyne Bessette won the gold medal. In the final, she clocked 3:57.573 to beat out Whitten in second at 4:00.735.

For the men, Zach Bell defeated Jamie Sparling, in the final clocking 3:42.420.

‘’With today’s windy conditions, it’s a good clocking,’’ said Bell, who has also raced on the road this season. ‘’I’m pleased with my fitness over the last few months and I’m on track to peak for the World Cups in November and December.’’

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Friday’s results

Women’s sprint
1- Tara Whitten
2- Joanna Wiersma
3- Karine Côté

Men’s sprint
1- Travis Smith
2- Felix Haspel
3- Joel Regimbald

Men’s individual pursuit
1- Zach Bell
2- Jamie Sparling
3- Alexandre Cloutier

Women’s individual pursuit
1- Lyne Bessette
2- Tara Whitten
3- Julia Bradley