CANADIAN WOMEN TEAM PURSUIT QUALIFIES WITH SECOND FASTEST TIME, BREAKS CANADIAN RECORD

(Manchester, GBR – November 1, 2013) The Canadian Women’s Team Pursuit team broke the Canadian record in the qualifying round at the 2014 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester, on Friday, and posted the second fastest qualifying time to race for the gold medal in the finals.

Team Canada is comprised of Gillian Carleton (Victoria, BC) [WTP/Omnium], Laura Brown (Calgary, AB) [WTP/Points]; Allison Beveridge (Calgary, AB) [WTP]; Steph Roorda (Vancouver, BC) [WTP]; and Jasmin Glaesser (Coquitlam, BC) [WTP/Points].

Canada qualified second with a time of 4:28.0 behind the Olympic and World Champions team from Great Britain, who smashed the World Record time with 4:23.9. Australia qualified third at 4:33.0 and fourth was Poland at 4:33.3.

“I’m very pleased and proud of the riders in this afternoon’s ride,” said Craig Griffin, the Canadian team’s coach. “Everyone executed well which resulted in the time we were expecting. Tonight will be an exciting challenge going up against the Brits in front of their home crowd on their home track. This is what it’s all about. It’s going to be fun!”

Laura Brown said: “It was really exciting to be on the start line today as a team of four with the new 4km race ahead if us. I can’t wait to race for the gold medal in the final against Team GB this evening.” 

Gillian Carleton added: “We have raced against Team GB before in front of their home crowd, at London World Cup in 2012. Tonight’s ride should be much the same and I hope that we will be able to harness the energy of the crazy fans to do another great ride.”

Finals are at 7pm Great Britain time.

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