Cycling coach gives thumbs up to world cup track efforts

BikeNZ head coach Tim Carswell has given a thumbs-up to his squad six weeks out from the UCI World Track Championships in the Netherlands.

The squad picked up their fourth medal at the final World Cup in Manchester today with the men’s pursuit claiming the silver medal behind Great Britain’s Olympic champion combination, bolstered with the return of pro tour stars Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.

This follows the gold medal by Shane Archbold in the omnium, silver to the women’s team pursuit and bronze to Marc Ryan in the individual pursuit.

The men, without Radioshack pro tour riders Jesse Sergent and Sam Bewley, were second fastest qualifiers behind Great Britain in the team pursuit and ahead of powerful squads from the likes of Spain, Denmark and Australia.

Great Britain chased their world record in the final, finishing just over a second outside in 3:55.438 with New Zealand recording 4:00.314.

“The team pursuit combination rode strongly both in the qualifying and the final. They were up against the world record holders who were out to break their record,” Carswell said.

“We have got excellent depth and I am pleased with this combination. And with two strong riders to come back into the squad, there will be real competition for the final places in the final team for the world championships.

“Overall we got four medals out of this campaign and I think we are well set up at this stage six weeks out from the world championships.

“Some of the riders will compete in the national championships this weekend and all will head into a final camp in Invercargill before we head to Europe in four weeks time.”

Christchurch’s Joanne Kiesanowski finished and improved sixth place in the omnium with 10th placings in the individual pursuit, scratch race and time trial, leaving her 10th overall for the World Cup series for the new Olympic event.

The team sprint combination of Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Eddie Dawkins finished seventh fastest with Dawkins suffering from the effects of his heavy fall in yesterday’s keirin final.

Webster also failed to qualify for the semifinals of the rich Japan Keirin Association event held in conjunction with the World Cup.

Carswell said he was pleased with the overall development of the endurance squads and the sprint team, with the crash to Eddie Dawkins costing him a medal and also limiting their chances in today’s team sprint.

Day 3 results:

Men’s 4000m team pursuit, final: Great Britain 3:55.438, 1; New Zealand (Marc Ryan, Aaron Gate, Peter Latham, Wes Gough) 4:00.314, 2; Spain 4:03.308, 3; Denmark 4:06.477, 4. Qualifying: GBR 3:57.471, 1; NZL 4:01.347, 2; Spain 4:03.874, 3; Denmark 4:06.164, 4.

Team Sprint (E Mitchell, S Webster, E Hawkins) 44.894, 7.

Omnium, day 2: Individual pursuit: Sarah Hammer (USA) 3:35.263, 1; Vilija Sereikaite (LTU) 3:36.199, 2; Leire Olaberria (ESP) 3:39.592, 3. Also: Joanne Kiesanowski 3:45.135, 10. Scratch: Hammer 1, Pascale Jeuland (FRA) 2, Melissa Hoskins (AUS) 3. Also: Kiesanowski 10. Time trial: Sereikaite 35.746, 1; Malgorzata Wojtyra (POL) 35.833, 2, Hammer 36.181, 3. Also: Kiesanowski 10.

Final standings after six events: Hammer 9 points, 1; Kirsen Wild (NED) 38, 2; Wojtyra 42, 3. Also: Kiesanowski 52, 6.