02.20.11 -2011 UCI TRACK CYCLING WORLD CUP KICKS OFF IN MANCHESTER

(Manchester, GBR – February 19, 2011) Monique Sullivan of Calgary, Alberta, finished 12th in the women’s sprint event at the 2011 UCI Track World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain, the last stop of the 2011 season before the World Championships.

Sullivan qualified for the elimination rounds with the 14th fastest time by stopping the clock at 11.516 seconds. She then went to face Bulgarian cyclist Olga Panarina, who qualified with the third fastest time, in first round, to whom she conceded the victory in the 3-lap race

Sullivan then raced in the B quarterfinals, where she defeated her opponent Wai Sze Lee from Hong Kong. In the B semi-finals, Sullivan faced Lisandra Guerra-Rodriguez from Cuba. In an intense duel, Sullivan crossed the finish line behind her competitor and conceded the defeat.

Sullivan finished her day on the track in 12th position, an excellent result for the young cyclist against the World’s top sprinters.

Filling in for World champion and World Cup leader Tara Whitten, rookie Allison Beveridge of Calgary narrowly missed her qualifications to the Women’s omnium race, finishing 13th in her respective qualifying heat. Beveridge competed today for the first time on the UCI World Cup Tour.

In the men’s keirin, Calgary’s Travis Smith finished fifth of the opening heat and was relegated to the repêchage round, where he finished second of his heat. Smith will end up in 13th place.

Remi Pelletier-Roy of Longueuil, Quebec, placed 15th in the men’s individual pursuit, posting a time of 4:34.457. In doing so, Pelletier-Roy, a young cyclist of 20 years old, broke his previous personal record and rode the best individual pursuit of his career.

The 2011 UCI Track Cycling World Cup event in Manchester ends on Sunday. For more information and full results, please visit: http://www.trackworldcup.co.uk/