August 5, 2006 (Gent, Belgium) - The Junior Track Worlds opened in Belgium today with Canada’s Eric Smith (AB) missing the top-12 by two spots only to go to the points race finals (he ranked 14th), while eyes are now focused on Monique Sullivan (AB) who will take part in the women’s time trial 500m event later today.

"It is obviously a sad news that young hopeful Eric Smith did not progress from his qualification heat in today’s men's points race, but he will have the opportunity to make for it tomorrow at the pursuit race and we anticipate great results from our team in the coming days," said Vincent Jourdain, road and track coach for the Canadian National Team.

Smith crossed the line tenth in the final sprint but with no points to his name ranked fourteenth.

Monique Sullivan (Calgary, AB) who is first year Junior, will race the 500m time trial finals tonight, as well as the sprint 200m and keirin competitions.

Tomorrow Sunday August 6, Eric Smith (Calgary, AB) will take part in the Pursuit and Lawrence Leroux (Oka, QC) in the Kilo competitions.

Official results link here

Canadian riders taking part in this event are:

Junior Women Monique Sullivan, Calgary, AB: track sprint Danielle Kenny, Calgary, AB: track endurance and road race Julie Beveridge, AB: road race Karol-Ann Canuel, Amos, QC: road race

Junior Men Eric Smith, 17, Calgary, AB: track endurance, time trial and road race Mark Hinnen, 18, Oakville, ON: time trial and road race Lawrence Leroux, 18, Oka, QC: track sprint André Tremblay, 17, QC: road race Guillaume Boivin, 16, Longueil, QC: road race Alexander Korten, 18, ON: road race William Goodfellow, 18, QC: road race Charlie Bryer, 18, Hamilton, ON: road race

Schedule of competitions

UCI Junior Track World Championships
Saturday August 5, 2006 – Qualifications and track competitions: Men’s Scratch, Women’s 500m Time Trial, Men’s Points Race, Men’s Team Sprint.

Sunday August 6, 2006 – Qualifications and track competitions: Men’s Time Trial Kilometer, Men’s Individual Pursuit, Women’s Points Race, Men’s American, Men’s Keirin

Monday August 7, 2006 – Qualifications and track competitions: Women’s Individual Pursuit, Men’s Team Pursuit, Women’s Sprint

Tuesday August 8, 2006 - Qualifications and track competitions: Women’s Scratch, Women’s Keirin, Men’s Sprint

UCI Junior Road World Championships
Thursday August 10, 2006 – Women’s and Men’s Time Trial

Sunday August 13, 2006 – Women’s and Men’s Road Race

For further information, and interview requests, contact:

Florence Bourg
Communications Manager
Canadian Cycling Association
Cell.: 418-558-4559
florence.bourg@canadian-cycling.com