03.27.08 - 2008 Track Worlds in Manchester - Day 2

Great Britain was pure gold on Day 2 at the Track World Championships, sweeping all three world titles awarded, and setting a world record to boot. In the Team Pursuit, women's Individual Pursuit and women's Team Sprint, it was the Union Jack that was hoisted to the highest spot. The men's Sprint competition also got underway, with the qualifying and first two rounds of competition held, reducing the list of contenders down to eight for the final tomorrow night. There were two Canadians competing today - Travis Smith in the Sprint and Tara Whitten in the Pursuit. Neither moved on from qualifying, with Smith finishing 34th and Whitten 16th.

For Smith, it was a frustrating but not unexpected end to his season, with his last slim chance of making the Olympics gone. "I have to remember that I have come back from an injury that, most people tell me, usually means a year before I can even ride my bike again. So, it was frustrating, because I felt really good all week, the best I have all season. Maybe it was nerves, but as soon as I started the final 200 metres I could tell that my legs were just jelly."

Tara Whitten, competing in her first Worlds, saw this as another learning experience. "I was definitely hoping for a better ride, but I went out too hard the first lap and it's not a good thing when you can feel lactic acid that early! This year I have been learning every race, and I'll go back home now with a better idea of what I need to do."

Photos: Rob Jones ©www.canadiancyclist.com

Travis Smith	Travis Smith

Travis Smith	Tara Whitten

Tara Whitten	Tara Whitten

Tara Whitten