08.28.10 - Tara Whitten, Zach Bell Best All Around Track Cyclists

Young cyclists come through at 2010 Track Cycling Canadian Championships

(Bromont, QC – August 28, 2010) On a scorching hot and sunny day at the National Cycling Centre velodrome in Bromont, QC, Tara Whitten and Zach Bell showed their domination in track cycling, but the Canadian Championships was the stage for some hot performances by up-and-coming cyclists, a good sign that the Canadian Cycling program is on track for international success in the years to come.

It was no surprised to see Tara Whitten (Edmonton, AB) excel at the 2010 Track Cycling Canadian Championships. The double World Champion won all of her events to continue on her exceptional season. At the 2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, Whitten rode to the gold medal in both the Points race and the Omnium event in Ballerup, Denmark.

In men’s racing, Zach Bell (Watson Lake, YK) also ended his day at the Canadian Championships on a high note, winning the Omnium events. Throughout the event, Bell raced to National titles in the Individual Pursuit, the Points race, Scratch race, and the Omnium. In the team pursuit along with his Team British Columbia teammates, Bell won the silver medal.

Both Whitten and Bell will be in Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, in October, in addition to sprinter Travis Smith (Calgary, AB) and Monique Sullivan (Calgary, AB).

“I’ve been really impressed with the level of competition here. I was able to come out on top, but I felt like the whole depth of women cycling was a lot higher than last year and the year before. That’s really exciting for the program,” said Whitten, 30.

So far at these Canadian Championships, Whitten won the Individual pursuit, the Scratch race, the Points race, Team Pursuit, Team Sprint and the Omnium event.

“Our team pursuit squad showed some good power and we’re going to use that for the next two years going into the Olympics and on the world stage,” continued Whitten.

“At the Commonwealth Games, I’ll be the only Canadian women in the endurance events, so I’ll be representing Canada and our whole program. I think that I am looking at it as a great learning opportunity towards London,” added Whitten.

The Omnium event is considered to be the toughest event to win, as cyclists take part in a series of six races, both sprints and endurance events. The cyclist with the best overall rank in all the events combined takes the gold medal.

The Elite portion of the 2010 Canadian Championships ends tomorrow with the Keirin race, as well as the Master category races.