UCI Sydney Track World Cup 2006
March 3 - 5, 2006
British Cycling's Larry Hickmott reports | >Back to Latest News
The final round of the UCI World Track Cup series for 2005/2006, sees the Great Britain Cycling Team putting the final touches on their preparations for the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in Bordeaux (France) which follow in April.
Just Added: Photographs from the Sydney World Track Cup: Tip: To display, place the mouse pointer over a link, click the RIGHT mouse button, and select the 'Open in New Window' option.
| Day 1, March 3: Women's Sprint & Points and Mens Keirin, Pursuit, Kilo & Scratch |
Day one of the Sydney Track World Cup meeting saw an impressive performance from Rob Hayles as he dominated the Individual Pursuit to claim Britain's first gold and lay down a marker for the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships. At the other end of the experience scale, Nikki Harris put her Points Race qualification demons behind her in the morning with a battling 10th place. She then went on to claim her first World Cup medal with a brave and well-planned ride into third in the evening's final. Ross Sander completed Britain's involvement with a promising turn in the Men's Scratch Race which netted him 13th place.
Elsewhere, Theo Bos blew away a strong field to win the Keirin. Home darling Anna Meares won the Women's Sprint with typical style - her confrontation with Victoria Pendleton at the the Commonwealths should be worth watching! Meanwhile, Yong Feng took China's first ever Kilo World Cup win and whilst the time - just over 63 seconds - wasn't too stunning, the Chinese are clearly working hard to ensure they have a competitive team in time for Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Full Report on GB Team's successful Day 1 >>>>
Full Day 1 Results >>>>
| Day 2, March 4: Men's Sprint, Team Pursuit, & Points and Women's Pursuit & 500 |
Day 2 of the Sydney World Cup brought three medals for the GB team, including a gold for Wendy Houvenaghel who dominated the Women's Pursuit and produced a couple of very handy times in the process. We've got her reaction and that of coach Dan Hunt.
Chris Newton rode a canny Points Race to claim a bronze medal and there was also a strong ride in the race from Mark Cavendish.
The youthful riders of the GB team's Olympic Academy then turned in a really solid performance in the Team Pursuit, collecting a bronze medal and recording a sub 4.10 time in the process.
Jamie Staff was less happy with his performance in the Sprint, where he went out at the quarter final stage after qualifying in fourth.
Full Report on Day 2 at the World Cup >>>>
Full Day 2 Results >>>>
Day 2 GB Rider/Staff Reaction >>>>
| Day 3, March 5: Women's Scratch & Keirin and Men's Team Sprint & Madison |
After the drama and heroics of the first two days, the GB Team had a quieter last day of the Sydney World Cup, with riders in only two of the days events. First up was Nikki Harris in the Women's Scratch Race, where she put in another good performance.
Britain's other riders in action on the last day were Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas in the Madison. Mark is world champion at the discipline and he and Geraint rode a great race to keep themselves in with a chance of a medal throughout.
Report on Day 3 at the World Cup >>>>
Full Day 3 Results >>>>
