11.06.11 - GLAESSER IMPRESSIVE SEVENTH PLACE IN OMNIUM AT TRACK CYCLING WORLD CUP

Jasmin Glaesser seventh, Gillian Carleton fourth in career first World Cup appearances

(November 6, 2011 – Astana, KAZ) Jasmin Glaesser (Coquitlam, BC) raced to an amazing seventh position in the women’s Omnium as the 2012 UCI Track World Cup kicked off this weekend in Astana, Kazakhstan, and doing so in her first ever appearance on the UCI World Cup tour, while Gillian Carleton (Victoria, BC), also making her World Cup and international debut, raced to the fourth place of the Women’s points race, and came just three points short of taking the victory.

Canada sent a young a developing team to this opening World Cup of the 2012 season, with several members of its team in good positions within the 2012 Olympic Games qualification process.

Glaesser, who recently won the gold and set a new Canadian record in the women’s team pursuit race at the recent Pan-American Games in Mexico, finished off the six-race Omnium event with 51 points, and was only three points away from a Top 5. Notably, Gleasser broke the Top 5 in the scratch race, which she won, and the points race in which she came fourth.

“Racing here in Kazakhstan was a really exciting opportunity and I am able to walk away with some valuable experience. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and capitalizing on what I learned here to make sure I am as prepared as possible for the racing ahead. Thanks to the coaches and staff and everyone behind the scenes,” said Glaesser, 19 years old, from Kazakhstan.

In the Women’s points race, where points are awarded to the top four riders of the peloton every five laps, Canada’s Gillian Carleton placed a well fought fourth place, showing 28 points, just three points behind race winner Ahreum Na of Korea. Carleton was racing for the first time at the World Cup level and taking part in her first international race wearing Canada’s uniform.

The Canadian Men’s team sprint team comprised of Joseph Veloce (Fonthill, ON), Travis Smith (Calgary, AB) and Hugo Barette (Cap-aux-Meules, QC) finished 15th with a time of 46.321. In the individual sprint race, Veloce came in 33rd with a time of 10.388, while Travis Smith posted the 40th time at 10.473.

Veloce also competed in the Men’s keirin race at this opening World Cup of the season. Finishing third of the qualifying round, he went on to place fourth in the repêchage round and did not advance to the quarterfinals.

In the Women’s sprint event, Calgary’s Monique Sullivan was looking to put continue her momentum from a successful 2011 season, where she significantly improved on the international scene. With few races under her belt entering this season, the two-time defending Canadian champion went on to qualify with the 22nd fastest time of 11.668, and did not advance to the elimination rounds.

Sullivan also took part in the Women’s keirin. In the opening qualifying rounds, she went on to finish third of her heat, and moved to the repêchage heats, where she finished second. Unfortunately, that was not enough for Sullivan to advance to the quarterfinals and have a shot for a medal.

Canada’s newly-created Women’s team pursuit squad comprised of Jasmin Glaesser, Julia Bradley (Toronto, ON) and Gillian Carleton placed 12th of the 3:35.363.